1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
God Can Use Your Hat
For my 40th birthday, Tim gave me a trip to running camp up in North Carolina. For a whole week we stayed at Zap Fitness which houses and trains post-collegiate runners for world and Olympic competition. They also put on adult running camps for anyone of any ability. The running was breathtaking, especially through Moses Cone Park which has 25 miles of carriage trails nestled along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
One of the highlights of our week at camp was getting to meet 4-time Boston and New York City Marathon champion Bill Rodgers. He was truly delightful; you could even imagine him showing up for groups runs every week and going for coffee afterward. On the second day Bill was at Zaps, he ran with us in Moses Cone Park. After the run, we stopped at a place in Blowing Rock called Bald Guy Brew. This is one of those hole-in-the-wall places where you can chat up the owner (Jason) while he makes you whatever specialty coffee you desire. Bill had stayed in the van while the rest of us went up to get coffee. Soon after, I realized I wanted the camera, so I went back to the van to get it. I had my CR volunteer hat on and Bill started asking me questions about the group. We then fell into talking about religion and Alberto Salazar's book, since Alberto is a devout Catholic. All week I had been praying for opportunities to share Christ and right then and there I felt led to share with Bill Rodgers about my joy in Christ. I talked about the beauty of God's creation where we were running and the love of God in creating it for us. I said there's a difference in the world's happiness and true joy. When we truly understand the love of God, which is unlike any other, we are amazed that He would not only provide us with this beautiful creation but would send His own Son to die in our place even though we were His enemies. He nodded throughout and acknowledged how amazing that is.
I only had that brief opportunity, and I wasn't able to figure out what Bill Rodgers thinks of Christ, but God is the one who will tend to that seed He allowed me to sow. I would encourage you to pray for Bill Rodgers.
So, wear your hat or wear your shirt! God can use it to start a conversation about Him.
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