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Running toward the chaos

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If you take a look at my contributor profile there are two things that you may observe. First, one of my hobbies is long-distance running. The second is that, in my photo, I am wearing a jersey over my shirt and tie. When I included in my profile that I am a long-distance runner, I did not include the fact that I have completed four marathons — three official and one unofficial — and my photo was taken the day of my most recent marathon.

When I received word of the explosions that occurred at the finish line of the Boston Marathon today, I was very personally upset. Running a marathon takes months of training and extreme dedication. Even after all the training, crossing the finish line results in literal pain. And, to be completely honest, crossing the finish line means COMPLETE physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. To complete a marathon feels like coming to the edge of death willingly.

It is not my goal to make this article about me — it is not. I believe, though, that my experiences — and my reasons for running — are very similar to others. I began running as a result of what felt like a complete loss of control. I had just gone through my first big breakup and also lost a very close friend to a rare form of cancer (among other personal life occurrences). I began to run to feel like I had control over something…anything. When I ran, it was just me and the road. Running became my solace.  My time on the road was my time to seek God and find inner understanding.

So when I saw today’s images and the chaos that ensued, it felt like (and feels like) an assault on my pursuit of God. And already today (through twitter, Facebook, and other social media), I have seen people asking, “Where is God in this?”

But I see God in this — not in the idea that this was/is God’s will (it is/was not). In watching the footage in the moments after the explosions, I see many people running away from the scene. But I also see just as many people running into the chaos. That, I believe, is the act of God.

My closing statement is not my own. Mr. Rogers — everyone’s neighbor — stated, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” 

Those people — the ones who run into the chaos — are the hands and feet of God.

Kyle Franklin
Kyle Franklin
Kyle A. Franklin is a recent graduate of Gonzaga University, where he earned his Master's in Religious Studies. He completed his bachelor's degree in history and religion at Pacific Lutheran University in 2007 and has worked in both the ELCA Lutheran Church and the United Methodist Church.

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Tiffany  McCallen
Tiffany McCallen
12 years ago

I love that quote by Mr. Rodgers, which has blown up on social media a painful number of times in the last year (painful because of the frequency it was needed). I agree with you, Kyle. Those running to help in the Boston Marathon tragedy were indeed divine angels. Bless each one!

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