It's like running!

A Christian Lifestyle
Is Like Running

A Christian lifestyle is a daily challenge, there will be times in your life that feel like you are climbing Mount Everest but rest assure with God there will always be a recovery time.  

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. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1Corinthians 9:24-27

 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come
1Timothy 4:8

Living a Christian lifestyle is hard work and can be very challenging; it requires dedication to living a life that is pleasing to God. Not only are we Christians through our actions but in our minds, and our thoughts. Just like running, it is a mental thing to keep encouraging yourself to push through the exhausting and challenging moments in life, like running up that huge hill. It is when we go through struggles that God is strengthening us and shaping us to be more like Him. After you experience God's peace (the recovery time) that is when you grow closer in relationship with God by trusting Him more than you did before that huge hill in your life.

 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10

A Christian lifestyle is a daily challenge, which is where the importance of Christian friends comes in, to keep you accountable, just like a running partner keeps you accountable to keep pushing forward. Christian friends who keep each other accountable are not only there to encourage, but to lift you up in prayer during the hills in your life when you feel like giving up. Even if you don't always run side by side through everything the important thing is that you pick each other up when we stumble and finish the race together, our heavenly home. Our world is full of temptations that can make it very easy to stumble and fall, we need to keep each other accountable and be an encouragement through example and prayer.

During your walk with God you may wonder why you put yourself through such a challenging lifestyle. Just think of it this way, right now you are on a difficult path that requires you to run up many hills when your are so exhausted, but there will always be a recovery time because God will not give us more than we can handle nor will He ever leave you when you're climbing those hills. So next time you feel like taking off your running shoes put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6: 13-17) and know that the biggest trophy of all is there for you when you finish the race, eternal life with God!

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
2Timothy 4:7-8