September 2011 Archives

One possibly lesser-known activity held during Homecoming Weekend was the 26^th Annual Roy Griak Cross Country Invitational. This meet, hosted by the University of Minnesota, was held at the Les Bolstad golf course on Larpenteur Avenue in St. Paul. The "Griak" is the country's largest college-level cross country meet, comprised of six races: both men's and women's for Divisions I, II, and III. In addition, competitive high school teams from around the state participate. Today a total of over 4,000 runners raced distances ranging from 5 to 8 kilometers.

Roy Griak, in whose honor this meet is named, has been involved with the U of M cross-country and track teams for 48 years. He has coached, held a position as the administrative assistant, and stays active in the program even after retirement in 1996. Today, he attended the races at the age of 87.

The Griak meet represents to cross country runners the essence of the sport itself. To high school teams, the Griak serves as an elite racing opportunity: the best, fastest high school teams represent themselves and the schools that are invited must be remarkably successful. Smaller teams with less experience will find themselves thrilled to run in such an exceptional race but finishing at the far back of the pack. To college teams, the Griak is the most exciting race of the regular season (meaning that Nationals or Regionals, for example, might prove more exciting). Because so many teams participate in the races, the energy is invigorating and the cross country spirit is most alive. Colorful tents are pitched; tarps are laid; boxes of bagels and fruit scatter around camps; parents and grandparents along with younger siblings wander around the golf course. Runners in matching uniforms warm up in clumps, goofing around and spreading a contagious sense of camaraderie. Other racers jog alone in multiple directions, weaving up hills and around loops wearing short shorts, spandex, light jackets and other techy running attire. Teams stretch in large circles, converse in small groups, and sit cross-legged with shoulders hunched while screwing spikes into their racing shoes. During the race, coaches wearing warm-up uniforms advertising their team logos sprint from one part of the course to another, looking down at their stopwatches and barking instructions to their runners--sometimes their advice is encouraging, other times it is less gentle and more vehement. The extraordinary mass of fans and competitors add to the adrenaline already felt by runners working hard to keep their pace over hills and around tight curves. The excitement of running a cross-country race is, to a certain extent, indescribable to one who has never attended a meet or participated in racing.

Today, the Concordia University Golden Bear cross-country runners achieved personal records compared to both last year's race and to other previous races. Team members' family visited and donated snacks, Coach Breitbarth's wife and 3-week-old daughter cheered along the course, and Coach Mark disappeared because he was mingling with everyone he could find (as usual) in attempts to talk to high school coaches and gain new recruits.

This event conveys many things about being human and Christian in an interconnected world. In terms of being human, all of the above-mentioned elements are part of each attendee's interpretation of being human. To those who connect with running, part of their very humanity lies in their participation in the sport, whether that means racing, coaching, or supporting a competing family member.  The significance of this event is emphasized in their taking part in something they love, something that is a major part of who they are. This lifestyle of running has involved commitment and prioritizing of time; struggle and effort; goal-setting and accomplishment; patience, especially in the case of injury; personal fulfillment; joy and pleasure; and so much more. To those who do not connect with running, humanity is still represented in this activity by its inclusion of camaraderie (support of fellow participants in one common activity); encouragement of those who are working hard to achieve a desired goal; awe of one's physical abilities; and recognition of training that has contributed to a result. Anyone can identify with these elements of humanity.

In regard to being Christian, this event included threads of faith in God. Hung on one team's tent were signs that read, "Run for Christ" and "For God's glory." A few teams could be found wearing T-shirts with the words of Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me" on the back. These teams clearly and publicly recognize the blessings God has given them and the integration of those blessings into this event. The physical undertaking of training and racing could not be accomplished without the strength or abilities with which God Himself has gifted humans. The healing of injuries, recovery from illness, and overall health prove other ways God enables these runners and everyone to do exactly what they have done, are doing, and by His grace will continue to do. The words recognizing God's hand in this event may not win conversions to Christ, as the Holy Spirit alone accomplishes that work, but for believers and unbelievers alike those phrases bring to mind the grateful hearts of runners who appreciate the gifts they have received from God through Jesus Christ. Elements of humanity and Christianity combine during this event.

This activity challenged me in that God again reminded me of my weakness and His strength. When I became overwhelmed with fear for what might happen during my race or felt pressure to perform above what I felt I was able, God stopped me in my self-centeredness and pointed me to recognition of His strength. Our team's devotion this morning involved a discussion of the Israelites on their way into the land of Canaan. When the spies decided that the occupying people seemed too powerful and the Israelites assumed they would be overcome, God told them to continue, saying that He would give the land over to them. He would employ His strength through the Israelites to accomplish His own purposes, and He would give them success. In the same way, I was reminded (with the assistance of a few deep breaths) that God would bring me through my race according to His will. Outside of my own race, God showed Himself in each and every runner who crossed the finish line, demonstrating the incredible capabilities He gives to those He has created. I was encouraged again to trust in God and to see Him in everything--including cross country races.

Through faith God gives me I will transfer this lesson into my academics, contemplation of future goals, personal life, and interactions with others as I learn to trust God's direction for my life and turn away from temptations to worry about what I perceive I am ill-equipped to accomplish. God promises to be with me in all that I do and grant me success for His glory. I can trust His wisdom as He guides me through my life and finally into eternity with Him. 

     Today's convocation was held so that the campus community could be a part of considering Concordia's promise statement. The goal was to bring everyone together to ponder what Concordia University, St. Paul, is really about. First, audience members were asked to think about the fact that despite differences in beliefs, backgrounds, cultures and personalities, everyone comes together into a community with one thing in common: all are children of God.  Disagreements exist in regard to certain issues, while agreements exist on still other topics, but ultimately a community is formed within the context of the Christian gospel. With that in mind, President Ries began to discuss the main ideas that could describe Concordia. Some terms that have been used are "small," "affordable," "multicultural," and so on. But it was important for those in attendance to really delve deeply into Concordia's qualities that are unique--that make Concordia stand apart from others colleges and universities. With this in mind, those in attendance contemplated what Concordia should assert in its promise statement. A promise statement should encompass the most important descriptions of an organization while also touching on as many relevant areas as possible. The difficulty, as becomes clear, lies in stating all of the elements in a clear, brief sentence or two. In addition, a promise statement should be truthful. Such a declaration should accurately describe Concordia in what it is as an institution, what it does, and what makes it different, in a way that will assure the actions that are declared. Nothing misleading or ambiguous should be involved.

     This activity reflects this course as the focus centered on the human and Christian qualities for which Concordia is known. Well-known attributes of Concordia frequently address the goals that students are helped to achieve, the discoveries students make about themselves as people, and the calling they find as they search for their place in this school and in the world around them. Faculty members are invested in their students not only academically but also in regard to their growth as individual persons.  All of these things connect to students and faculty as people in a most human sense. Other well-known characteristics address the Christian element of Concordia University.  Concordia is part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod system and one out of ten fellow LC-MS universities. Concordia, therefore, is expected to stay true to its fellowship, thereby promoting firm Christian values and a Biblical worldview in loyalty to its sponsorship. Furthermore, Concordia should ultimately and most importantly reflect the truth of Christ's love for us shown in His sacrificial life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. This gospel, rightfully so, is an integral part of Concordia's identity as an academic institution. Concordia University is meant to provide a foundation for each student's spiritual growth and increase of faith in Christ as his or her person Savior. In regard to this event's relationship to our world, it can be said that as a result of these attributes of Concordia (humanness and central Christianity), those who are a part of Concordia are better prepared to interact with their surrounding world and are equipped for making an impact on the world in a larger sense. This could include service and compassion that can be spread by those who have been involved with Concordia to the lives of the people with whom they come in contact.

     This activity served as an impetus for me to think about what Concordia means not only to me but also to others. The topics discussed during the convocation caused me to think harder about why I am here, what I expect from this school, and how I can bring what I learn here into my life both now and in the future. I again was given a chance to analyze my reasons for selecting this school in plans of reaching my ultimate goals. I had the opportunity to question myself and think about what expectations of mine I believe have been met in the first five weeks of my attendance. I considered how those results compared to my presuppositions, whether they were identical to my expectations or different from my initial ideas. This thought process was helpful for me as I attempt to still confirm my motivations for attending Concordia. As a result, some of my assumptions were confirmed while others, not what I originally thought I had in mind or what I thought I wanted, have changed my ideas about my purpose in life and my direction to pursue the use of the gifts God has given me. Little by little, God has shown me that He is in charge and that His plans will occur--mine often will not. Ultimately, I have become more aware of how God can bring me, and the faith He has given me, into service for His purposes in whatever context He will place me in years to come.