Run the Race, Enjoy the Journey
The Christian life was never meant to be a joyless march — enjoy the people God puts in your path.
Theme: Run the Race, Enjoy the Journey
Verse: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." — Colossians 3:23
My good friend Michelle had a race this morning. She finished 1st in her age group by a pretty healthy margin. That didn't happen by accident. It was the direct result of following training advice from another friend, Steve, who despite his choice of service academies (USNA 1987), is actually a pretty good guy.
Training for anything requires purpose. You need a goal, a reason, and a plan of attack. Without those things, pushing ourselves to become stronger, faster, or more skilled would get old in a hurry. Eventually, the motivation disappears.
Our Christian walk is much the same. We are all moving toward becoming more like Jesus. We are not trying to earn God's love or approval — we already have that through His grace — but we respond to that love by growing in faith and obedience. We keep the end in mind as we continue the journey, looking forward to hearing those incredible words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
But purpose alone isn't enough to sustain us. The Christian life was never intended to be a joyless march of duty and discipline. Jesus Himself modeled a life that was serious about truth while still engaging people in ways that captured attention and connected with their hearts.
Despite rumors to the contrary, followers of Jesus have been known to have fun along the way. Jesus Himself used vivid and memorable teaching that often made people stop and think. He used exaggeration, irony, and striking imagery that people couldn't forget.
In Mark 10, Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." The image is intentionally absurd and emphasizes the danger of putting wealth above spiritual matters.
In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about someone trying to remove a speck from another person's eye while ignoring the log in their own. It is a humorous picture that makes a serious point about self-reflection.
Jesus understood that truth often sticks when people connect with it and remember it.
So, as we work hard in our training, let's not forget to enjoy the experience. Laugh a little. Encourage others. Enjoy the people God puts in your path. Live in such a way that others see something different in you — not just discipline, but joy.
Maybe when people see us shining like stars, they'll want to know the One we're following.
And isn't that part of why God put us here?
Have a GREAT week!
Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Dooley