Life is an Endurance Sport
Endurance is a requirement in this life, but what exactly does it mean? Jesus told us in Matthew 10:22 that he that endures until the end shall be saved. There seems to have been a shift in society over the past generation or two. We now adopt the mindset that we just have to hang on and make it to the end. With this mindset we do what we want to, we take care of ourselves and what makes us happy, and we squeeze everything else that is “expected” of us in there wherever it will fit. With this way of life spiritual things just kind of happen to us when they happen, like a wind that blows in our direction every once in a while. When we recognize it, we get excited that God intervened in our life. We have these experiences because He is faithful and He loves us. We’re hanging on, enduring life, and getting breakthroughs from time to time. However, God didn’t call us into this type of endurance. He called us into a race! We are athletes in the Kingdom of God. How good are we at running this race?
A little over four years ago I got my bicycle back out and rode with our boys. I used to ride a lot when I was a teenager, but I found out real fast that I’m not a teenager anymore. I rode about 2 miles and thought I was dying! After I recovered, I made a decision. I decided that I wasn’t going to stop because it was hard. Cycling was the only sport I ever really enjoyed, and I was going to get back in shape. You know what I did there? I set a goal! So, I started riding more as I found time and I slowly inched it up to about 5 miles, still felt like I was dying, but I kept doing it anyway! I’m still riding, because I’m still setting goals. My goal now is to ride a Century Ride (100mi). I did my first group ride a few weeks ago which was 38 miles and I felt great! I’m not ready for 100 yet, but I believe I can if I don’t give up!
The Lord has been speaking to me through this endurance cycling journey I’m on. There’s something to be learned and applied to our lives. Whether we like it or not, good at it or not, or want to or not, we still have to endure. It’s simply part of life. Endurance isn’t about hanging on and just making it. Endurance is setting goals, working hard and crushing those goals! If we just flip a switch in the way we think about it we’ll move from hanging on while life happens to pursuing life and making things happen!
So, endurance means stretching ourselves a little farther than we are comfortable over and over again until we meet our goals. When we get comfortable, we set new goals and repeat. A runner that doesn’t train doesn’t win. A runner that stops running doesn’t win. Those that keep their eyes on the finish line and do what it takes to be the best they can be are the ones who win! Winners simply have a different mindset. Endurance sports require more mental strength than they do physical strength. As athletes in The Kingdom of God we need to set goals for prayer, for church attendance, for learning God’s Word, leading others to Christ, and set our mind on the goal. It will be hard, it will be painful and tiring, but whatever you do don’t stop until you meet the goal and you will feel accomplished and fulfilled. Then in all of your excitement you’ll set another goal. There are eternal rewards for this, but also keep in mind that you are stronger too! What used to be difficult is now easy because you didn't just endure it, you crushed it!
Prayer
Father, I thank you for calling me into something greater than I’m capable of doing on my own. I repent for being idle for so long. Today I change my tactics. I set my eyes on you and change my mindset to be stronger and more able than I am now. I ask you Lord to guide me in my spiritual endurance training. Show me what goal to set and how to achieve it. Help me to overcome my weaknesses through the power of your Holy Spirit. I will run this race with patience. I will finish this course, and receive my eternal reward because you are with me.
In The Name of Jesus Christ my Savior
Amen
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV
(24) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
(25) Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
(26) So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
(27) But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
A little over four years ago I got my bicycle back out and rode with our boys. I used to ride a lot when I was a teenager, but I found out real fast that I’m not a teenager anymore. I rode about 2 miles and thought I was dying! After I recovered, I made a decision. I decided that I wasn’t going to stop because it was hard. Cycling was the only sport I ever really enjoyed, and I was going to get back in shape. You know what I did there? I set a goal! So, I started riding more as I found time and I slowly inched it up to about 5 miles, still felt like I was dying, but I kept doing it anyway! I’m still riding, because I’m still setting goals. My goal now is to ride a Century Ride (100mi). I did my first group ride a few weeks ago which was 38 miles and I felt great! I’m not ready for 100 yet, but I believe I can if I don’t give up!
The Lord has been speaking to me through this endurance cycling journey I’m on. There’s something to be learned and applied to our lives. Whether we like it or not, good at it or not, or want to or not, we still have to endure. It’s simply part of life. Endurance isn’t about hanging on and just making it. Endurance is setting goals, working hard and crushing those goals! If we just flip a switch in the way we think about it we’ll move from hanging on while life happens to pursuing life and making things happen!
Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV
(1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
(2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
So, endurance means stretching ourselves a little farther than we are comfortable over and over again until we meet our goals. When we get comfortable, we set new goals and repeat. A runner that doesn’t train doesn’t win. A runner that stops running doesn’t win. Those that keep their eyes on the finish line and do what it takes to be the best they can be are the ones who win! Winners simply have a different mindset. Endurance sports require more mental strength than they do physical strength. As athletes in The Kingdom of God we need to set goals for prayer, for church attendance, for learning God’s Word, leading others to Christ, and set our mind on the goal. It will be hard, it will be painful and tiring, but whatever you do don’t stop until you meet the goal and you will feel accomplished and fulfilled. Then in all of your excitement you’ll set another goal. There are eternal rewards for this, but also keep in mind that you are stronger too! What used to be difficult is now easy because you didn't just endure it, you crushed it!
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for calling me into something greater than I’m capable of doing on my own. I repent for being idle for so long. Today I change my tactics. I set my eyes on you and change my mindset to be stronger and more able than I am now. I ask you Lord to guide me in my spiritual endurance training. Show me what goal to set and how to achieve it. Help me to overcome my weaknesses through the power of your Holy Spirit. I will run this race with patience. I will finish this course, and receive my eternal reward because you are with me.
In The Name of Jesus Christ my Savior
Amen
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2 Comments
This is such a well written word for a time when people want the easy way out. I'm proud of you.
Thank you sis :)