July 25th, 2020
Eddie Keith, Director of Family Ministries
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
Have you ever gone out for a walk or drive with no discernible direction in mind? Sometimes it's to clear your head, others to just waste some time and others still to take in the sights. However, if we are not careful, we could end up more lost than we wanted and the road back home is harder. How many times has our Christian walk turned into this? We have spent so much time taking in the sights that we lost sight of the goal. As I shared with everyone yesterday the goal of the revelation of Jesus Christ in our lives was so that we could preach the gospel message for whatever amount of time we have on earth. We are not meant to wander aimlessly. If we are not careful and diligent with our faith, we could end up just as lost as an aimless walk. We must train for the race Paul is talking about. But how?
Like any training program, one needs to build up endurance. Someone who has never trained cannot suddenly run long distance. It takes time to build up those muscles. We, as Christian, must build up our spiritual endurance just the same. By this I mean, (1) a daily routine of studying the Scriptures, (2) devoting time to prayer and (3) growing with a community of believers in a small group setting or accountability group.
Building these rhythms into our lives will take effort and endurance. It’s not a sprint. Trying to do too much too fast will burn you out faster than imaginable. At the same time muscles need to be stretched. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. The great news here is that you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus sent his Spirit to be with us. With the Holy Spirit giving us the direction, we won’t end up aimlessly wandering.
Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you today as you grow in these spiritual disciplines. Keep striving for the crown that will last forever. Remember the goal and train hard.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
Have you ever gone out for a walk or drive with no discernible direction in mind? Sometimes it's to clear your head, others to just waste some time and others still to take in the sights. However, if we are not careful, we could end up more lost than we wanted and the road back home is harder. How many times has our Christian walk turned into this? We have spent so much time taking in the sights that we lost sight of the goal. As I shared with everyone yesterday the goal of the revelation of Jesus Christ in our lives was so that we could preach the gospel message for whatever amount of time we have on earth. We are not meant to wander aimlessly. If we are not careful and diligent with our faith, we could end up just as lost as an aimless walk. We must train for the race Paul is talking about. But how?
Like any training program, one needs to build up endurance. Someone who has never trained cannot suddenly run long distance. It takes time to build up those muscles. We, as Christian, must build up our spiritual endurance just the same. By this I mean, (1) a daily routine of studying the Scriptures, (2) devoting time to prayer and (3) growing with a community of believers in a small group setting or accountability group.
Building these rhythms into our lives will take effort and endurance. It’s not a sprint. Trying to do too much too fast will burn you out faster than imaginable. At the same time muscles need to be stretched. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. The great news here is that you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus sent his Spirit to be with us. With the Holy Spirit giving us the direction, we won’t end up aimlessly wandering.
Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you today as you grow in these spiritual disciplines. Keep striving for the crown that will last forever. Remember the goal and train hard.
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