One of the definitions of racing is to operate or cause to operate at an excessive speed. Like a heart beating faster than usual because of fear or excitement. Reading these definitions makes me think about our race of faith and the way we are running. What is our motivation to run? Are we running with excitement?
When we run, we need to be free of every heavy thing. We cannot put on a backpack and start a race with a heavy load. That is not necessary, or even to take a cargo that does not belong to us. It sounds ridiculous. Imagine attempting a race while wearing sandals. Not properly equipped with the proper tools.
Most of the time in our life as followers of Jesus we make the path difficult, and harder that it must be. An athlete must be ready for the competition. He must train and develop skills. Every part of the process is important.
The athlete makes an effort to improve. Some days it looks difficult to accomplish his goal. He continues the preparation and trusts in the process and listens to his coach.
We read at the first book of Timothy chapter 4 verses 8-10
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.”
If we know the benefits of exercise, we can notice the changes in our bodies. I am training and exercising even when it is hard, even when I feel I will not finish and accomplish it. At times I feel that I am not able, but I listen my coach encouraging: “You can do it.” I have some months, almost a year, making exercise a discipline. Exercise is simple and good for us. Yet many times we are not interested. Changing the way, we live and producing changes in our bodies.
We do the same with our spiritual lives, with our relationship with God. We have seen the changes in our lives, in our character, and in the way we think. We are not perfect, yet our goal is to be as the Master, Jesus. The spiritual training has many more benefits to us in this life and the life to come.
But as Christians, we are in a dangerous position, each decision will have an echo in the eternity. We are in a position taking heavy and unnecessary loads, many of them are not ours, we are trying to run the race of the faith as the world is trying to run for their lives, trying to get everything they can. We as sons and daughters of God, are running for a race with an eternal purpose, a race that does not consist of speed, but it is about resilience.
The race that we are running sometimes it is going to get harder and difficult, but we are not alone, and God is preparing us, and we have the best coach by our side, who is always with us.
We can finish the race only if we are building a relationship with our Heavenly Father, looking at Him in the secret place, attending to the call He is making at the door of our hearts. Because by ourselves we are not going to accomplish the race, we could survive for a little while. Remember, Jesus is always by our side.
When we talk about any kind of sport, consistency, resilience, discipline, obedience, self-control, and many other character traits are necessary. In other words, we need the fruits of the spirits to persevere in the race of the faith so much more as we read in Galatians 5:22-26:
”22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
If we are not depending on and living by faith, we will not be able to persevere and bear good and spiritual fruit. Any kind of everlasting and good fruit is the result of discipline in our spiritual life. A result of nearness to Jesus. Becoming his friend, doing his deeds, having his heart, loving, and having mercy as him as he does. Not exacting our own justice.
We will endure until the end of the race only if we develop the discipline to continue growing in our relationship with God. Living unsatisfied and seeking intimacy with Him.
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About The Author - Sandra, a disciple-maker serving Latin America, graciously volunteered their time to encourage our underground family.
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