Before I go out for a run, I always have on my mind, “What should I do for a warm up today?”
Stretching?
Dynamic Stretching?
Walk?
Jog?
I never know what I should do, so I usually default to a slow jog.
I’ve noticed this has actually become quite effective for me. By starting out at an extremely slow pace, I’m able to judge how my body feels to see what it is I need to do before jumping into the workout.
During this jog, I may stop to stretch or do some squats. I may throw in a few strides or alternate the first half mile with some walking intervals.
Sometimes it takes only a half mile and I feel ready to go, sometimes it takes four miles before my body feels loose and ready.
It all depends on the day.
This reminded me a lot of my devotional time for the last few years. I don’t have a set way I spend my time with God in the morning. It all depends on what I need that morning and where the Lord leads me.
Sometimes I’ll just read the Bible and take notes, sometimes I’ll pray the majority of the time, and still others may be a devotional or study that I am working through (which normally takes weeks longer than it’s supposed to because I don’t do it every day).
I’ve noticed this has actually been more beneficial to grow my relationship with Christ than anything else. Just like I wouldn’t do the exact same thing for every get together I have with others, I have enjoyed being flexible and creative in how I spend my quiet time every morning.
So I want to challenge you this week to shake it up a bit.
Come up with new ways you can spend your time with Jesus. Remember that the Bible is God’s primary way of speaking to us. He uses it to instruct, teach, encourage, steer, and love us.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Just as I said a few weeks ago, there is no perfect morning routine, quiet time routine, or warm up routine. Focus rather on figuring out what works best for you in the season you are in. The only thing I would advise you to do is to make sure you intentionally spend some type of quiet time with the Lord every morning. You should not jump out of bed and right into a full out sprint. Start your spiritual workout the same you would –or should- your physical one.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
Psalm 63:1-4
And keep it simple as much as possible.
By not overcomplicating the Christian life and keeping it simple as God intended, we are able to live with joy and peace. We do this by keeping our eyes on Christ. For the more we can keep our eyes on Him, the easier it is to drop the worry and to enjoy the journey.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
I love ya’ll, see you next week!
Listen to episode #30 on the Be Still and Run by Alli Anne podcast using your favorite platform or by using the link below to search for it.
I hope you are having a wonderful New Year so far, keep it up with your goals, and Happy Running!
Up Next: The Perfect Morning Routine
Be Still and Run 