Still Standingনমুনা

In order to run a marathon, it is incredibly important to train for months beforehand. Training helps runners to prepare and persevere through the long run ahead of them. If someone were to try to run a marathon without training, they would quickly lose stamina, fall behind, and not be able to finish. Similarly, the race of faith requires purposeful training to finish what God has given us.

Three key aspects of training for the race of faith are sacrifice, discipline, and focus. In preparing for and living out the call of God over our lives, we will have to make sacrifices. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to remove any obstacles and sins that may weigh us down. This sacrifice looks like getting rid of things that distract you or slow you down as you follow Christ. Though it may be hard to give certain things up, it is always worth it.

The second aspect of training is discipline. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:27 of how he trained and disciplined himself so that he could live a long-lasting and godly life. Discipline allows us to do what we should do, even when we don’t want to do it. There will be times when you don’t feel like praying, reading your word, or obeying God. But by developing discipline in ourselves, we will continue to do what is right and godly.

The final aspect is focus. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is the greatest example of sacrifice, discipline, and focus. Christ overcame every obstacle and difficulty in His way, setting His focus on the joy and will of God. Because of everything He did, we now have the gifts of faith and life. Jesus is not just the source of our faith, but the perfector of it. In running the race laid before us, always focus on Jesus to sustain you and lead you.