The Long Work of Becoming | Luke 10
I’m training to run my first marathon in February 2027.
Usually, when this gets brought up in conversation, people are shocked that I would not only have the desire to do it, but that I’m actively training for it. And I get it. Marathons are not something that runners usually just decide one day that they want to do. A lot of thought, planning, and repetitive routine goes into marathon training, and somehow, you often end up feeling less prepared than you'd like. In that way, it isn't so different from the Christian walk.I started running of my own accord in 2024 as an outlet for a stressful season, as well as frustration with the complexity of maintaining a workout routine that’s beneficial – not just doing random exercises that seem important. This training took me through a 5k in 2024, a 10k in 2025, and the Pittsburgh Half Marathon earlier this year. Each time during training, I felt incredibly out of my depth. Just when you think your runs are going okay, your next one is harder than you anticipated. Then, you become winded faster, or your hip hurts in a way it hasn’t before. Finally, when you think your body is falling apart, your next run is the most fun you’ve ever had. It’s a whirlwind!
How similar is this to the sanctification process? We cycle through repetitive processes; some days with excitement to meet with Jesus one-on-one and hear from his Word, other times exhausted from life circumstances with baggy under-eyes and our strongest cup of coffee on hand. We get in the weeds of religion, missing true relational joy that’s meant for us. Or, the most common pivot point for me, finding satisfaction in the idol of self rather than resting at His feet. The point is, we can feel in over our heads quickly as we strive for goals, ideas, or even dreams that feel seemingly impossible.
Here, I find myself going back to Luke 10 in reminder of Martha and Mary’s interaction with Jesus on the demands of work. Martha was “worried and upset about many things” (relatable!) while Mary “has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus was telling Martha to keep the main thing! The nuts and bolts of life circumstances are just ours to be faithful with. They don’t determine our worth, or even who we are. Yeah, it can feel great to tell people I’m going to run those 26.2 miles, but they don’t fundamentally change my importance as a person. And, honestly, how sad it is to want that to be my legacy over personally knowing the God of all time and eternity?
In both these areas, I cannot control much; only show up, trust in the plan, and believe I will reach the end eventually. Progress (running) is not dependent on feeling, but on the work you put in, and progress (sanctification) is rooted in an idea of salvation beyond ourselves that is unearnable. Practically, this looks like full training plans and early-morning Bible study schedules being done with fatigue, anticipation, or even indifference. Yet, there is purpose behind everything that fills and fuels our day. On the starting line of my marathon, I won’t remember every single run I’ve done in this training block, just like I won’t remember every single time I sat down to open my Bible this year, but the fuel from both will carry me to the finish line just the same.
In the end, maybe running a marathon seems “out there”, but faith also carries us just as far a distance. And I’m planning to be in both for the long haul.
