I Do Not Run

(running for more than just the exercise)

I just started back running after taking some time off to heal a foot injury. Funny how you can miss something more than you thought you would. Watching the calorie counter go higher and higher on the treadmill was always a treat. And spending time alone with my thoughts and prayers was a real blessing. I sure hope it works out this time.

A couple years ago I ran in a marathon relay with four friends. We had shirts with this Biblical excerpt on the back, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly”, (1 Corinthians 9:26). Now that verse can surely provide some comic relief out on the road! We may not have been aimless, but I certainly felt like we were staggering at times, even with that big blue line painted down the center of the road.

To get the real meaning of what Paul was saying we need to look at the verses that precede verse 26, “Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Paul is encouraging us to live and work with a purpose; to set goals for our life and move towards them. Don’t just look busy. Don’t just keep busy. Don’t just run around aimlessly. Be focused. Be intentional. Take care of your spirit, mind and body. Run for the prize.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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How Good and Pleasant

(think about what unites us... not what divides us)

Today is the last day on the job for my friend Larry. He’s moving on to a job running a YMCA in Florida. I know he will do a fantastic job and we will miss his tireless work and leadership. Larry and I could not be much more different. He’s older. He’s as liberal as I am conservative. He’s as firm in his Jewish faith as I am in my Christianity. He’s a career YMCA professional and I’m a “parachuter”. Differences abound. But we’ve had a great time working together; laughing, strategizing, talking about family, talking Ohio State football and many other things. I think it’s because we chose to embrace our commonalities and laugh about our differences.

Psalm 133, verse 1 says “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.” In the 3rd chapter of James it says “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”

So my friends, the Lord is pleased when we live at peace with those who are different than we are. I’m not suggesting that we should be doormats for people, or not live with the courage of our convictions. But rather that we should seek the common ground. Look for the good. Look for the pleasant. Look for His image.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Seek First

(stay true to your mission...it is after all why you exist)

Neil Nicoll, the newly appointed CEO of Y-USA, gave one of his first talks at a Chief Financial Officer Conference in May. As he spoke about youth work and philanthropy one point really hit home, “Make sure you are doing something worth giving to.” If the work we do as YMCA staff and volunteers is impacting lives and improving the quality of our communities, finding the money to support that work should be the least of our worries. It even applies to those working outside the charitable sector, as any organization that stays true to its mission and core strengths is more likely to be successful!

There is a Biblical parallel. In Matthew Chapter 6; Jesus tells the crowds to stop worrying about what they will eat, or what they will wear. Rather he says “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

So it seems that keeping God first in our work, in our families and in our interpersonal relationships should be our focus. If we have the ability to influence an organization or operating unit of one, we should have the same focus. At the YMCA staying true to our stated mission “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build health spirit, mind and body for all” should take primacy over just chasing dollars.

Seek first the mission.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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