My nephew runs on his high school track team. While at
camp I watched Boston warm up and run with another counselor. I was immediately
aware that Tucker was also on the same track team. The stretches, bends and turns
to loosen muscles before beginning to run were identical. I could see the
influence of their coach in this routine.
The amount of time spent warming up appeared to be
equal to, if not even greater than, the amount of time spent running.
Stretching and loosening up the muscles is critical to reduce injury and
prepare the entire body for its role during the actual run. This critical time
not only prepares the muscles of the legs and arms, but also prepares the heart
for what will soon be expected of it. Omitting or even shortening this would be
disasterous.
During the warm up time the two boys casually talked
and laughed. When the run itself began this changed. Each boy was completely focused
on the path he was running. The two did not even start out at the same moment.
Although only a few seconds apart it was now obvious that each young man was
running his own course and all attention was devoted to it.
The apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a race
we run. This race, that all believers take part in, requires preparation. We
will all go through times of stretching our spiritual muscles and training for
the ministry ahead. “Now every athlete who goes into
training conducts himself temperately and
restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon
wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot
wither.” (1 Corinthians 9:25 AMP) There is a definite goal ahead that requires the
hard work of preparation, but also makes it all worthwhile.
It may appear at times that the warming up and getting
ready to serve God seems to be taking a long time. We study His word and live
through the trials of daily life. We may have a sense deep inside of the work
He plans for us to do. Yet we wait, study and train, all in preparation for the
point we can begin to run. “Train
yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. For
physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness
(spiritual training) is useful and
of value in everything and in
every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life
which is to come.” (Timothy 4:7b-8 AMP) There are many opportunities
to move forward in the gifts and callings God has placed in our lives. We are
faithful in training and God leads us into more. We must be diligent to run our
race with every ability and all the energy that we have, giving our best to
God. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but
[only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the
prize] and make it yours.” (1
Corinthians 9:24-25 AMP)
Our track runners could catch some
extra sleep each morning. They could pursue other interests during the time
that they use to train. But neither of these would prepare them for the
competitions to come. We have to make the same wise choices even when they are
not easy. After Paul had been warned repeatedly of hardships to come, he spoke
these words. “But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear
to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was
entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news
(Gospel) of God's grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).” (Acts 20:24 AMP) He also stated, “I press on toward the goal to win the
[supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.”
(Philippians 3:14 AMP) And he lived his
life accordingly.At the end
of his life the apostle Paul, who had diligently followed the plan God had for
him, was able to write these words. “I
have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. [As to what remains] henceforth
there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right
with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to
me and recompense me on that
[great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His
return).” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 AMP) We
will be able to say the same if we are diligent to follow the will of God.
As Paul has encouraged us, we must run with passion, daily
following the example of Jesus Christ. “Therefore then, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the
Truth], let us strip off and
throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so
readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and
entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and
active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking
away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving
the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to
maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set
before Him, endured the cross, despising and
ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews
12:1-2 AMP)
Warm-up by
studying God’s word. Train by obeying Him in the little things. Run the course
that God has laid out for you with focused determination.
The theme of training has been appearing in my life the last couple days. I think God is trying to tell me something -- namely, that I can't expect to get to my goal on the first time out, I have to train little by little until I reach the goal. Your post has been used by God to continue to speak to me. Thank you for this.
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