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What is the Point of Running?
The apostle Paul parallels the Christian’s journey to heaven to a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He does not imply the race will be short. For this reason, many quickly enter and start the race at such a rapid pace only to wear out later - never finishing. In Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to run this race without weights and sin but with endurance, which makes our life in Christ more like a marathon than a 100-meter dash. Hopefully the following will help you become successful in your race toward heaven.
Every race begins with the first step. Whether it is teaching a soul, prayer, Bible study, or an act of hospitality - and even if the task appears larger and more difficult than you might expect - get started! Noah could never build the ark without cutting the first tree. Paul’s missionary journeys started in the first city he entered. Elders begin when they obey the gospel. Good children are won to the Lord with prayer at the cradle.
Maintain your form. Becoming a Christian sets a person’s heart toward morality, respect, obedience, love, and a conscientious thinking process careful of the things thought, done, or said. We may begin with zeal, enthusiasm, and plenty of spiritual energy, but will it keep going? If you consider 2 Peter 1:5-10, adding to your faith is a gradual procedure. It is forming the character of a person whose will is set in being all God wants him to be. Along the way, you have to remind yourself to be fruitful (v. 8), remember your sins were removed by the blood of Christ (v. 9), and give diligence to what it is you have decided to do - live for Christ (v. 10). Be steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58).
If every bit helps, every quit hurts. The more you practice a thing, the better you are at it. The more you work on conditioning your spiritual life, the better you are at resisting temptation, extending kindness, living without murmuring, overcoming temptation, and making wiser choices. All this comes from daily meditation, prayer, focus, study of the Bible, and the company of Christians. Imagine yourself removed for one day, one week, or one month from study, prayer, etc. It can and will be damaging to your spiritual wellbeing. Believing this tip to be true will breed consistency in your activity and behavior.
Increasing your goals minimized laziness and indifference. The Christian is always trying to master God’s commands. Perfecting them is a lifelong task. For many, one hindrance to this is becoming self-satisfied or bored, and then quitting. They quit because they thing they are done. Finished. They feel they have done all they were supposed to do (Luke 17:10). No one said it was time to quit running. Always demand more and more of yourself, because God does.
