Inspiration Thursday

Have you ever watched a Cross-Fit competition, Triathlon or maybe American Ninja on television. Do you find yourself asking how in the world do those athletes do those things. They push their bodies beyond the limits human endurance. A full triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run consecutively. Cross Fit events involve running, jumping, weight lifting events and American Ninja is a series of increasingly difficult obstacles that must be negotiated against the clock. The people who compete in these events are driven. They do not let difficulty, disappointment for failure deter them. The fall they get back up, get back in the competition and finish the event. They may be bleeding, limping, and near exhaustion, but they are determined to finish the race. Most of us Christians could learn a thing or two from these athletes about determination.
For most of us life is a marathon and our relationship with Christ can be a challenge. It can resemble a cross-fit course that is filled with obstacles that we have to overcome. When we feel like we have failed in our Christian walk it can be easy to just give up and live our life on our own terms. We would be missing the blessing of seeing Christ active in our lives.
The apostle Paul had an unknown disability that he thought was hindering his ministry. He prayed earnestly that God would remove this thorn in his side. In fact Paul called upon God three times to relieve him of his difficulty. God's answer was,"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)  God's grace allowed Paul to put his trouble behind him, focus on being the apostle that God had called him to be and write one third of the New Testament. 

The world around us bears witness to our life and our life is our testimony of our relationship with Christ. How are we to live that life? Paul gives this counsel. "Therefore we aslo, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Paul was determined to finish the race. Toward the end of his life and ministry the old apostle wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Paul was determined to finish the race of life that God had set before him and he longed to hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Have a blessed day.