Because

The REST #156

It’s the rest of the week. What do you care deeply about?

Having a cause helps to right the world a bit. Something that reminds us what is important—that gives us direction and balance when the earth heaves under our feet.

This past Thursday, Ricardo and I joined friends participating in and spectating at the Beirut marathon, which included a 5K 10k and half marathon.

We were spectators, but maybe next year we’ll participate – it was inspiring.

The Beirut Marathon was founded in 2003 by May El-Khalil, a Lebanese woman who was inspired to promote peace and unity through sports after surviving a near-fatal accident while training for a marathon. Her vision was to use running as a way to bring together people from different religious, political, and social backgrounds in Lebanon, a country long divided by sectarian conflict.

In addition to the athletes and the people running for fun, there were a wide variety of people running for causes. Several times I teared up – especially when several mothers passed by with a placard in one hand and the hand of a child with Down’s syndrome in the other.

I don’t suppose there’s anything restful about a marathon – besides finishing. But the whole experience got me to thinking about our “because”.

When we tap into what matters to us we are more fully ourselves – and we can make a difference in ways that are not draining, but life-giving and possibly even energizing.

And I just keep thinking about how God is love and how that being love caused him to become God with us, to live with us and to redeem us.

“[Because] God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

May you find rest in love—and may your rest sweet.

Alicia