I believe that Christians should run for compassion because, well, running is so central to the Word of God.

The word "run" (in all its variants) appears at least 149 times in the Bible. From Genesis, where Abraham runs to meet the three angels visiting him (Gen 18:2) to the Letter to the Hebrews when we are encouraged to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1).

We do not run in vain (Gal 2:2; Phil 2:16) or aimlessly (1 Cor 9:26), but we are like Peter and John running to the tomb to see that Jesus is resurrected (John 20:4). We're running toward new life - from isolation to compassion.

In my study of the Bible and running, I'm learning a message that God is teaching us that he runs in compassion toward us.

When the father of the prodigal son sees him coming back, he runs toward him to restore him to his care: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).

Think about that ... the Father's compassion leads him immediately to running toward us who need him most. That's why we run for compassion because that's what the Father does for us.

Please support my running a half marathon tomorrow (April 12 - Divine Mercy Sunday) by visiting and donating at Sports 4 Compassion.