By Nicole Byrum
I’ve never thought of myself as a “creative type.” Seriously, art is definitely not in my skill set. If I were ranking my favorite elementary school subjects I would put art near the bottom, just barely eeking out music class. I’m terrible at decorating. I’ve also never participated in theater or plays. I know, I know. That’s probably painful for many reading this to hear. But please don’t misunderstand, I greatly admire anyone who has the abilities to draw, paint, create, or act! Those are not my gifts. And while I may enjoy witnessing the above mentioned arts, I can’t say they have been instrumental in my spiritual formation. Now, words, on the other hand…that’s a different story….
In my mind, there are two things I hold as the highest form of beauty. The first is the stride of an elegant runner with perfect form and a magnificent turnover. This truly is an absolute glory to behold! The second is a beautifully constructed sentence. They melt me. I marvel at a great work of literature in the same manner I do an elite marathoner. Something about both of these move me in a way I can’t explain.
Perhaps these things stir my soul because they are a display of the glory of God. As we are created in His image, any degree of talent or ability we possess if a gift from Him–and this only as a mere reflection of a fraction of His glory. I am amazed at the ability to run and to write because I know the source of these gifts are from God; knowing this makes me love and adore Him even more.
As you may have guessed, I am a runner myself. I began at age 12 and have never stopped. I’m far from elite, but to borrow the famous words of Eric Liddell, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Indeed. I have not only felt this but have been formed by this for the past 26 years.
Although writing is newer to me, it is the only other activity that has ever come close to how I feel spiritually when I run. With both of these, it’s as though I feel most like “me” when I’m doing them. In those moments, it’s as if I am who God created me to be. And when I write about the things of God and His truth, I feel His Spirit move in an unparalleled way.
I know I will never be an Olympic runner or a New York Times Best Seller. Both of these truths are perfectly fine with me. I take great delight in the gifts God has given me in the measures He has chosen to give them; for is through these gifts I have come to know more of Himself.
Nicole Byrum is an independently licensed marriage and family therapist from Van Wert, Ohio. She is the author of Remade: Living Free, a book inspired by her work with women in recovery from substance abuse. In her free time, she enjoys running, cooking, and maintaining a website that features a blog and podcast (you can check it out at nicolebyrum.com).