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“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” –– Matthew 7:24-27
I bought a pair of trail-running shoes last week, though not for the purpose of running on trails. With the word GORE-TEX attached to them, I acquired them in preparation for an upcoming journey visiting cities along the Rhine River because, if you’re going to the effort and investment of flying overseas, you are determined to walk those city and village streets regardless of the weather. Thus, for December trips, layers and the hope of dry feet are mandatory.
The product description for the Nike Men's Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX Running Shoes (That’s a mouthful) contained all the trigger words that would lead me to click and buy –– “A full GORE-TEX upper provides waterproof protection to help keep you dry … The 3-D print toe cap provides extra durability and support in high wear zone areas, which helps keep your toes and socks warm and dry –– Sold! Though I will surely traverse more cobblestone than mountain trail, I’m banking on these kicks to prevent me from squishing my way through the museums and Christmas Markets.
Twenty years ago, I would have thrilled at the thought of finding a new trail to run, exploring cross-country circuits, and being able to sidestep tree roots and potholes while soaking in the spectacle of nature all around me. However, I no longer sidestep much of anything and seldom look beyond my next footfall … and that’s when I’m running on the sidewalk. At a certain age, you begin to notice that in the battle between concrete and a tree root, the tree root always wins. There was a time when I could instinctively hop over buckled sidewalks on tree lined streets. Let’s just say that instinct is gone, along with the leg strength to just bop up a hill or a flight of stairs. If it’s not soft, flat, and smooth; if it isn’t solid ground; my runs entail the risk of a different kind of jaunt to the ER. Balance becomes the bane of the … bountifully birthdayed.
The profoundly wise theologian Howard Thurman said, “A [person] wants to know that [their] life’s purposes and plans are floored by a structure that is more than [they are].” I’d like to believe that to be true, that there is some hope in each of us that our lives would be defined by more than self. Yet, there is much evidence in our era of this pervasive illusion that the only thing we stand upon is our own two feet, and that the world is defined solely by what I or you make of it or squeeze out of it. The inevitable result is increased isolation and loneliness, smallness and cynicism, born from the fear that I won’t get my share, and the dreaded they will get more than they deserve.
“A wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock,” a rock that was bigger than he was, a calling that was more than self, and a Lord who holds it and us in the palm of God’s hand. May our life’s purposes and plans be floored by a structure that is more than we are. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
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