College is crazy. One’s time is spent inequitably between classes, homework, music, hanging out with friends, and trying to sort out one’s identity. It can be quite the challenge to fit in time to work out. Going to school in rural Ohio helps, though. The school is surrounded by trails that one can take to escape the madness, and in that escape, find God.

I used to run, and still try, but poor exercise habits and over-exertion limited my physical capacity. In the interim, I walk. It could be a simple stroll about the village, or perhaps a more intense hike. What it provides is something unique. It ushers in a stillness when done with purpose. This isn’t to say there is a destination, in fact the best walks are destination-less, the walk itself is what is important. Here is where I find relief.

Too often we walk to a particular point. We have set goals and locations; everything is planned and uniform. There is no spontaneity, perhaps even no room for God. In long walks, I find that spontaneity, and I can relish these serene moments where God’s glory shines through. I find that a deep calm overwhelms me and I am able to love better: my friends, my professors, my family, even the strangers. It’s as if these walks open my eyes, and allow me to see in a completely new light. My mind and body are renewed and reconnected.

Back to running, though. Prior to being limited by poor joints, I loved the catharsis of a good run. My dedication was frail, and too often I found myself stuck online as opposed to outside pushing my legs and lungs to their limits. What I know is that I find it very difficult to do any strenuous physical activity on my own. In thinking about this I realized that the spiritual life is the same. One cannot be a Christian alone. To take it further, one can’t even be human alone. There is nothing natural in total isolation. Perhaps this is just my extroverted nature, but I need that companionship to keep me going. I need to be challenged, and I need someone there to challenge me. I need goals. And so I realize the challenge of living the paradox: spontaneity and destination. Life is about the journey, but the destination is a part of that.

Hebrews 11.1 (NRSV) states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Living in the moment, being aware and conscious of our surroundings, enjoying God’s eternal presence, these are all vital to the Christian life. But our tradition is not to be stuck in the moment, but to strive to live into eternity. This is why the Incarnation is so important, I suppose, an eternal God becoming flesh: eternity embodied. This is the Christian life. So I will take to the words of Hebrews once more, to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us” (12.1).

Gregory Stark is a student at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and a member of the Diocese of Idaho.

Body, Mind, and Spirit
Deacon Callie Swanlund, Diocese of Pennsylvania

Growing up with severe asthma and having a titanium rod through my leg from a skiing accident in high school, I never considered myself “athletic.” However, during my first year of seminary I decided - on a whim - to take up running. I started out very slowly using a “walk-to-run” program... >>>

Play Like Your Life Depends on It, It Might
The Rev. Joanne Sanders, Stanford University

Prior to becoming an Episcopal priest, I had the privilege to spend a collective 20 years teaching and coaching on the recreational and collegiate level, as well as compete as an undergraduate student athlete.  Exercise and training was indeed necessary for the demands of competition, but more importantly, it became clear to me that maintaining a reasonably active life physically beyond the confines of an athletic or professional career was essential to my health, well-being, balance... >>>

Find Your Stride
The Rev. Mitch Smith, Diocese of Iowa

I have always been an athlete.  I remember being four and having the training wheels taken off of my bike; swimming at age five against eight-year-olds; and I remember with fondness my time as a state champion swimmer, baseball player, and multiple time All-American.  To say that health, fitness, and sport is a large part of my life and the life of my family is an understatement.... >>>

A Few Resources

Not sure where to start in incorporating a healthy emphasis on exercise, activity and play into your ministry or life? Start with some of these sites and resources... >>>