It was the theme of a devotional I’d read last month. Since then, I’ve been thinking about how that would look in everyday life…and in running, of course.

When I think about what it means to “make Jesus famous,” I think about athletes who credit their victories and accomplishments to God. I’m talking about the “big time” athletes who have won Heismans, Super Bowls, NBA Championships, Boston Marathons, etc.

With confetti still raining down and sweat soaked uniforms, during post-game/race interviews they attribute their wins to Jesus, Lord and Savior. Boom! There it is. The name of Jesus proclaimed before millions of viewers nationally and worldwide. Not in a church. Not in a conference. Not in a retreat center in the mountains. But in stadiums, sports bars, living rooms, cars, planes, on laptops, and on smart phones.

Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book.

I don’t blame him (the nameless consumer) for his initial skepticism of green eggs and ham. After all, Sam didn’t do a great job of marketing his product. And his sales skills were questionable at best. I mean, really – the ultimate high pressure salesman. Hmmm, he actually reminds me of myself trying to convince my husband to try my kale smoothies.

But in Sam’s and my defense, we’re just super excited about green food and want everyone else to love it like we do.

In my early twenties, I had several sales jobs as well as recruiting and training positions. The “basic skill” in selling a product or service AND in hiring/training sales people was translating features to benefits.

Sam and I need to go back to Sales Training 101 when it comes to promoting our green cuisine. But somehow I feel like even if I masterfully present the benefits of kale smoothies to Dave, he still won’t budge.

Benefits of kale. Too many to list. And not the focus of this blog post. But I think I’d be a pretty good spokesperson if the kale industry were looking for a new poster child. In my sphere of influence, I think I’ve done a good job of making kale famous.

So, how does kale relate to making Jesus famous? Well, I’m guessing that my family cringes when they hear the blender going for fear that I will once again stick a glass of thick green goo under their noses after the whirring sound stops. Of course, followed by my excited plea “Try it! It’s so good for you!” I’m also guessing that in some ways, folks cringe when they’re told they need to “try Jesus.”

What I love about several of the athletes I’ve followed over the years who have not been shy about crediting their success to Jesus, is that their lives OFF the field, court, and course have backed up what they proclaim to the media with all eyes and cameras on them. I’m sure their sponsors and contracts prohibit them from saying “too much” on air about how they live out their faith; but really, the proof is in the pudding. Or smoothie.

Do their lives off-camera reflect the Jesus they are “selling?”

I think God said it best in these verses:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 NLT

Don’t get me wrong; everyone has bad days, doubts, fears, frustrations, arguments with spouses, things they wish they hadn’t said or done. However, if those are the things for which they become most famous, all credibility is lost. It becomes “bad fruit.” And what was said on air while holding that gimongous trophy or gleaming medal quickly fades and even becomes as distasteful as my kale smoothie.

The bottom line is this: Does my life make Jesus attractive to others?

What would make someone want to try the Jesus that I boast about? Have I done an effective job selling the benefits of walking/running with Him? Do I consistently live out what I believe? How do I respond to criticism, the pressures of life, and when stuff doesn’t go as planned? Am I the same person off-camera as on-camera? Is there visible “fruit?” Or am I just all talk?

I’ve asked myself those questions a lot lately. More specifically, “How do I make Jesus famous in my running?” I suppose the answer depends on my audience. Except for races and the occasional run with friends, I run alone. So, really, I have an audience of One when I’m just training. How that Audience perceives my effort, results, thoughts, and heart during the run are everything to me.

Last Saturday I ran a 30K trail race which consisted of over 12 miles up to the Summit of Mt. Diablo (3,849′) then back down for 7 miles. I have to admit right here that I didn’t think it would be a big deal since I had run a 50K earlier this year going up to the Summit. I was looking forward to the cooler fall temps and even light rain forecasted. I had done a lot of hill training and felt good going into this race. What I did not account for was the mud from the previous night’s rain. Mud that from mile one got caked on each shoe and at times made me two inches taller. I’ve always wanted to be taller, but not this way. It didn’t take long for my ankles and calves to feel the strain of what was probably ten pounds of mud. And the hardest part of the course was still miles up.

This race came with an option at the mile 8.71 aid station to turn back down the mountain for a half marathon finish instead of proceeding another 3.4 miles UP to the Summit and ultimately a 30K finish. First off, let me say there would’ve been no shame in taking that option. But I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t go the full distance. And c’mon, there was even a huge, visible teaser at that point. I had to laugh as it brought so many great illustrations of temptation to mind. One in particular was the infamous “deal” Satan tried to make with Jesus for fame and kingdoms at His disposal if He would bow down and worship him. Of course, Jesus said “NO DEAL!” Satan should’ve known better; Jesus never did ANYthing with the intent of becoming famous.

Jesus and I made it to the Summit that day where there was a large sign on the ground at the aid station of a cartoon Devil and the words “Stomp Here!”

And stomp on it I did whilst thinking about all the times in life Jesus has helped me stomp on worse things than that 3.4 mile climb we just conquered.

The lessons learned, victories won, and obstacles overcome in training AND racing should spill over to all areas of my life. So much so that others will find the Source of my strength and joy just as attractive as I do. And that they, too, would want to try Jesus.

Photo Credits
Tim Tebow:  nydailynews.com
Stephen Curry:  slate.com
Derek Carr:  churchleaders.com
Race course:  brazenracing.com, Katherine Ingram, ChasquiRunner
Connect Magazine cover:  runforgod.com, Meagan Tang