A couple of days ago I decided to go for a run. Good idea, right? Exercise is good for everyone. However, 80% humidity + 90º heat = a terrible idea. My ambition was much larger than my ability. Nevertheless, I took off with the goal to run at least 7 miles. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve run a few half marathons and some 5ks (those don’t really count, I mean, anybody can walk 3 miles), so I’m somewhat in shape. The first 2 miles of my run were in the shade. Things were going well. I’m feeling good. I’m going to make 7 miles with ease. Then, the sun found me and the hills formed my path. My ambitious stride turned into a crawl of preservation. As a tip to all those runners dumber than me, when running long distances try to keep your mind on something other than running. A good part of running long distances is mental.

In my attempt to distract myself from the fatigue plaguing my body, I had this thought. ‘I have all this nice running gear, but I’m struggling after 3 miles.’ Then I began adding up how much my running attire cost. Again, I was desperate to not think of how badly I was hurting. I added up everything I had on my body. Here’s how it broke down:

• Nike running shorts — $40
• Nike running shirt — $30
• Balega running socks — $12 (for one pair, stupid I know)
• Brooks Pure Flow running shoes — $115
• Nike sweatband — $10
• Nike+ GPS watch — $150
• Road ID — $20 (In case I pass out in a ditch. very possible)
• Oakley sunglasses with Croakies— $100

It all comes to just under $500. It was hard for me to believe that I was wearing $500 worth of clothing/gear. Do you know what you can get with $500!?! There are a couple of ways you could think of it.
#1 — With $500 you could buy 142 lattes, or 158 Chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches, or around 250 lottery tickets. To reverse that, if you just cut down on the lattes, sandwiches and lottery tickets then you could have $500 worth of the best running gear there is!
#2 — With $500 you could sponsor 16 children through Compassion International, or buy 50 Because bracelets to be a voice against slavery (A21), or you could give that money to Generation Church of Clayton.

Okay that last one was a little selfish, but you get my point! The sad thing about my situation is that I have several other running outfits just like the one I was wearing. How many of us are guilty of spending our money on things that have no significance in the kingdom of God? I’m guilty. Listen, I’m not saying we should alter what we are passionate about. Some of us love to run (not me), some of us love fashion, some of us love coffee, and the list goes on and on. I’m just challenging us to spend our money wisely. Find organizations that are also charities (i.e., Toms). Don’t let your finances be lopsided. If you spend more on materialistic items than you tithe or give to charities, then something is wrong.

Last thing.

As I was running, and slowly fading, I realized something. I had a bunch of expensive gear and clothing, but I was still exhausted. At that point, the only thing I really wanted was water. The only thing I wanted was something I could get for free. My expensive stuff can never fulfill the one thing I actually need. You can continue searching this world for stuff that might make you happy for a short time, but you will never be fulfilled. Jesus is, and always will be the only fulfillment for our lives.

The obvious story to bring up here is found in the Bible; John 4. Jesus walks up to a place in Samaria called “Jacob’s Well.” While Jesus is there, a Samaritan woman walks up, which Jews like Jesus didn’t speak to in that day. Nonetheless, Jesus asked the woman for drink of water. She questions him, Jesus questions her, then she questions him again, now she’s thirsty too, and finally, Jesus cuts to her core and sends her on her way. What I find intriguing about the story is in verse 11. The woman mentions to Jesus that he has no bucket. This tells me that Jesus wasn’t interested in a bucket sized portion of water. It only took a “drink”. Jesus was never really about excessive amounts of anything (except things like praying). It seems as though His motto was little is much when I am in it. Now the water He was talking about wasn’t actually H20, but living water. No, not Aquafina, or Dasani, or even Fiji water. Sorry Coke, but this water He’s talking about is the “real thing”. The kind of water that quenches thirst for eternity. This thirst represents the void in our life and the water is the grace and mercy of Jesus. He is what truly satisfies and fulfills.

The challenge for us all (including me) is to be fulfilled by Jesus. Find satisfaction in Him and only Him.