Words in the wind

I just had an interview with a reporter about the Daily World marathon that they are planning for the 9th of April here in Chandigarh. It is a scary thing, an interview. And you get only one chance to get it right. There are so many things that I could have and should have said. But it is all done and published and irreversible like all words we speak. You may know the story where words are said to be like feathers. They can never be undone.

At least, when I write my blog, I can think about my words again, weigh them, change them or delete them before it goes out. So here are some things that I said in the interview that I wish I could edit.

“I will run the marathon.” This should have been: “If I am healthy and it is God’s will, then I will run and walk and hopefully finish the marathon.”

“I run because I can and because I enjoy it.” This should have been: “The answer to that question changes every time someone asks it. It certainly is fun and nice to challenge oneself, but it is also a way to use a God-given talent, a way to socialize, a way to stay healthy, a way to explore and get out in nature and get energy and to help relieve my incessant craving for achievement…”

“No, running does not make you a babe magnet… Blah blah blah.” What I meant to say is that I am happily married and that the thought of whether or not I am a babe magnet has never entered my mind for at least the last twenty-one years.

As for advice to people who want to run a marathon, I said something like just to start slow and build up gradually which is the sane answer. But, running those kinds of distances needs a bit of insanity and the first question to ask is if you are crazy enough. Are you?

The Bible has a very insightful take on this dilemma of words. James writes in his letter: “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”

That sounds about right. Nobody is perfect. Big deal. But wait for it…

He goes on to say: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Wow. We should be SO careful what we say! Luckily there is no sin so big that God cannot forgive it (with the only exception rejecting God himself, Jesus, who is the one who grants the forgiveness through his sacrifice.) I thank God for forgiveness for all the careless or poisonous or burning words that I sometimes speak.

Keep running

Stephan