Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Lifetime Race

Philippians 3:12-14

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (v. 14)


Ah, the new year has started and many are looking forward to a great year. People are chipper and have a great outlook. Unfortunately, it lasts for 2-4 weeks. An example is with the commercials. There are more ads about dieting and exercise during this part of the year than any others. This is due to the New Year's resolution most make. Unfortunately, most set too high of expectations only leaving failure to cope with. It is unfortunate that it comes once a year, and therefore an immediate sense of the inability to achieve the goal leaves it doomed to fail only to be attempted again at the start of the next year.


Fortunately, as Christians we are encouraged to live otherwise. Each new day is a new year. We do not take sprints or 100-yard races. We are reminded that this is a lifetime race. Every stride we take is equally important, and must be taken to reach the end goal. In a race, one may do very well during most of their laps, but if the last lap is not completed, then the goal is unmet and the race is incomplete. We must therefore pace ourselves and take every stride as best we can. Just as bodybuilders slowly increase their weights from the last one, we too should build from the last stride. Let us not be like a baby tossed to and fro, but continue to grow in our walk with our Father one step at a time. And if we happen to fall or stumble, let us get up and begin again to walk slowly and build our stride until we reach the end goal. Let us not lose sight or hope, for we have faith in our Lord and His strength will carry us through.