We are now four days into 2013. How’s your New Year’s resolution coming along? You know, the one where you vowed to start (and keep up with) an exercise program? If you are like most people, your ‘want to’ was bigger on New Year’s Eve than it was this morning. Instead of climbing out from beneath the warm nest of blankets it took all night to make so you could keep to your resolution, you rolled over, snuggled in deeper and then whispered a quick vow to yourself that you would make up for it … later.
Every workout routine – whether measured by distance, length of time, or reps – has a beginning, middle and end. You feel proud, energized and focused once you begin your routine. Your whole body exudes confidence. You mentally pat yourself on the back for actually getting up a little earlier, donning your exercise clothes, lacing up your shoes and heading out the door.
As you approach the midway point to your goal, you realize that while you have made marvelous strides thus far, you still have the same distance/time/reps yet to perform. Your energy flags and your confidence falls a bit. Yet one word of encouragement - whether intentional or not – from a passerby or family member can breathe new life into your waning spirit, increase your energy level and cause you to focus once more on your finish line with renewed determination. (If you raise your eyebrows in question of this, think of a time when you may have seen a marathon and then watched as a flailing runner (or walker) has
only made it across the finish line buoyed along solely by the cheers of the spectators.)
Something magical happens once the goal is at last in sight -- when that final series of reps is started; as the last minute of a
timed interval shrinks one second at a time while the clock counts it down; when the ribbon across the finish is visible just ahead and a-l-m-o-s-t within reach. You know then with complete confidence that you will make it. From somewhere inside of you, with muscles trembling, the last reserve of energy is pulled out of the depths and then expended in one burst to propel you across the line that marks the attainment of your goal. You’ve made it! Well done!
Life is very much like the performance of an exercise routine.
Indeed, in the Bible it is compared to the running of a race.
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
In life, just as in a race, there comes a time when encouragement is needed to simply make it through day let alone to the end. God provides just such a thing for us both through Himself and through other people.
Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.”
And all along this race of life, we have the assurance of a guide – a coach if you will – to lead us into what is the best way for us.
Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.””
We have our Encouragement and we have our Guide. Combined, they will help us finish this race. And once across the ‘finish line’ at heaven’s gates may we be welcomed with open arms and these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Today, resolve to join the race that matters above all else this side of heaven. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
Every workout routine – whether measured by distance, length of time, or reps – has a beginning, middle and end. You feel proud, energized and focused once you begin your routine. Your whole body exudes confidence. You mentally pat yourself on the back for actually getting up a little earlier, donning your exercise clothes, lacing up your shoes and heading out the door.
As you approach the midway point to your goal, you realize that while you have made marvelous strides thus far, you still have the same distance/time/reps yet to perform. Your energy flags and your confidence falls a bit. Yet one word of encouragement - whether intentional or not – from a passerby or family member can breathe new life into your waning spirit, increase your energy level and cause you to focus once more on your finish line with renewed determination. (If you raise your eyebrows in question of this, think of a time when you may have seen a marathon and then watched as a flailing runner (or walker) has
only made it across the finish line buoyed along solely by the cheers of the spectators.)
Something magical happens once the goal is at last in sight -- when that final series of reps is started; as the last minute of a
timed interval shrinks one second at a time while the clock counts it down; when the ribbon across the finish is visible just ahead and a-l-m-o-s-t within reach. You know then with complete confidence that you will make it. From somewhere inside of you, with muscles trembling, the last reserve of energy is pulled out of the depths and then expended in one burst to propel you across the line that marks the attainment of your goal. You’ve made it! Well done!
Life is very much like the performance of an exercise routine.
Indeed, in the Bible it is compared to the running of a race.
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
In life, just as in a race, there comes a time when encouragement is needed to simply make it through day let alone to the end. God provides just such a thing for us both through Himself and through other people.
Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.”
And all along this race of life, we have the assurance of a guide – a coach if you will – to lead us into what is the best way for us.
Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.””
We have our Encouragement and we have our Guide. Combined, they will help us finish this race. And once across the ‘finish line’ at heaven’s gates may we be welcomed with open arms and these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Today, resolve to join the race that matters above all else this side of heaven. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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