Our faith needs to be conditioned to get us in shape for the race set before us. An untrained faith will not be able to withstand what is coming.
I listened to an interview with a race car driver who said that to prepare for a race they needed to be in what is called “race shape.” Races can last up to four hours while driving in 140-degree cockpits. Most racers driving today take physical fitness seriously. They have personal trainers sticking to strict diets and subjecting themselves to grueling workout regimens. It takes dedication and effort to get into race shape. Maintaining our spiritual fitness should be our utmost concern. Being in top spiritual shape will help us endure the stresses of life and finish the race when others will have given up short of the finish line.
Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (I Corinthians 9:24-25).
Our faith is not a one-time experience. It must be constantly trained to get us in “race shape” or we will not be able to endure life’s most difficult challenges. To get in that kind of shape requires that we die to self and embrace the heart of God. It is a life that denies the flesh and allows the Spirit, not our preferences, to determine our response to life’s challenges. That is the kind of faith that will be able to endure the stresses of the race because we have been prepared to run our race for the glory of God, not for ourselves.
Excellent word! Thank you! I always enjoy the words you share each day but lately they have had an extra anointing on them! Thank you so much for your faithfulness!