Throughout my life, summer has meant slowing down. A silencing of the schedule. A softer pace through the longer days.
“We cannot coast through a single day.”
Not a single day.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize?Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone that competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.1 Corinthians 9:24-25
I’ve recently started running. Physically running. If you can call it that. I huff up the hills, and then praise him for gravity when I start down the hills. But running has made these verses from first Corinthians come to life.
We are in a faith-race. And in this race we can choose to run fervently and passionately, or we can choose to sit on the curb and eat donuts in defeat. Every day we have a choice. And coasting will not lead us into victory. Coasting will only cause our hearts to become entangled with deception.
True, it’s summer. But the enemy does not take a summer vacation. The flesh does not cease from striving against the Spirit. Unless we keep running — keep hiding His Word in our hearts — we will not live in the daily abundance promised by our Lord.
So I leave you with what I’m now tempted to yell out of my car window when I see fellow runners hitting the pavement. “You go, girl. You run that thing.”
What truths or promises from His Word are you standing upon these days?
How would you say your endurance in this faith-race is going?
Excellent, Lara. It’s easy to slip into vacation mode and let slide our timein the word, andin prayer, ad the enemy waits and siezes his moment when we are weak and lazy. I’m running for real and running a faith race, Lord let it be said that I ran hard and finished well, with Christ on my lips and always in my heart. Thanks for this, friend, oh, how you bless! ;)
It is easy to slip into that mode. And you are right, the enemy just waits to sieze our moments of weakness. Thankful for His grace and mercy. Running the faith-race with you, friend.
Thank you very much for the post! I needed that today! I’m not a runner, but I’ve been ‘meaning to’ start walking. I’m one of those that has been sitting on the curb eating donuts! Time to get out and move! Thank you!
It can be so tempting to just sit on the curb. But it’s so true — physically and spiritually — that moving forward, pressing on, is the way to abundant living. Blessings to you, friend.
I shall run to day and not get weary. I will walk and not faint. Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that we are not here to walk in place but to run toward the finish line. Setting my goals for today right now!
Goals are vital! They really set us on course. Praying for his wisdom to continue to grace you.