It’s Not A Race

This morning I was stretched (literally) when I accompanied my daughter, Brittany, to her gym, Orange Theory. I walked in with confidence in knowing that I could do this workout!

The trainer went over all of the instructions for the rowing machine, floor exercises, treadmill and patiently explained the fourteen minute intervals we would train. It all made sense. AND THEN, he showed me the TV screen with my name displayed! He explained that the color would change on the screen as my heart rate increased (for everyone in the class to see - all twenty-eight of them, not that I was counting). I have to admit I was starting to have just a little anxiety!

AND THEN (yes, again), I noticed that everyone in the class was at least half my age. There were young moms talking about soccer tournaments and couples that I’m sure were on a “date” for the guys to impress the girls. Teachers, nurses, preschool moms... and me.

So here is my confession: I’m extremely competitive; not with others, but with myself. (“Achiever” is my Enneagram wing.) I spent years listening to “old tapes” that reminded me I would never be fast enough, strong enough, funny enough, or good enough. Does that sound familiar? When I got my first tattoo, it was the Hebrew word “chazak” meaning “strength and courage” from Joshua 1:9, to remind me to step out in faith!

So fast forward to this morning. My colors were 32 minutes in the gray (where we begin), 16 minutes in the blue (first step) and 9 minutes in the green (second step). Most of the class spent their time in the green, orange and red zones. I met with the coach after to review my results and his first question was if I typically have low blood pressure. I do, and have even taken medication to keep me from passing out. His final words to me: You were pushing yourself so hard, but you don’t need to.

The goal is to build strength and endurance. Pam, it’s not a race, it’s a marathon!

It’s not a race, it’s a marathon! A marathon requires training and discipline. Rather than looking at our spiritual life as a marathon, we often treat it like a race. A race to check off a box confirming that we’ve read a devotional, said a quick prayer and gone on with our day. But life with Christ is more like a marathon. It’s a life of strength and endurance. It requires training. Slow reading of scripture, time spent contemplating what has been read, and prayer. The Apostle Paul experienced this training and speaks of it often in his letters:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

- 2 Timothy 3:6-7

Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

- I Timothy 4:7b-8

Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

- I Corinthians 9:24b-26

Does your spiritual life feel like a race? It’s time to slow down and go into training, building strength and endurance for our lives. I love the Apostle Paul’s words at the end of his life:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

- 2 Timothy 4:7

Let those words be an inspiration for your marathon of faith!

Pastor Pam

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