Runner’s Psalm

I was reminded of this Psalm that I wrote for Synod Assembly 2012.  As I have started just started training for my spring marathon, this was a good reminder of why I run.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.

It’s been weeks since I have heard you.

I tie up my shoes to run away,

Sneakers running from chaos.

            You have remained silent:

            Quiet in the face of death, upon death

            Funeral to funeral

            You have stepped aside,

            In crisis been invisible.

And the sneakers go, 5k

Angrily carrying me away:

Pray, pray, pray.

            Silent you have been at home –

            Teenagers rail as boyfriends change and life decisions overwhelm,

            The brunt of tears and anger fall to me, parent.

And still there are no words, no comfort.

Where is the One who makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters?

And the sneakers go, 10k

Thumping out the rhythm: pray, pray, pray.

Hear the prayers of the people, O God

Incline your ear to me, to us:

            For those suffering, for those places,

            of prejudice and injustice

            Hunger and pain

            Darkness and malaise of the heart…

                                    Lord in your mercy…

And the sneakers go, 15k

Pray, pray, pray.

In loving kindness, have mercy on me, O God

For I am stubborn, busy, driven…

Create in me a clean heart,

Renew a right spirit within me

And the sneakers go, 20k

Pray, pray, pray.

            And there you are in kilometer 21

            Almost home, you find me in exhaustion;

            Empty, prayed out.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.

You sing for me a new song, envision a new race

And so I return home renewed,

Running in steadfast love, singing God’s faithfulness forever.