Some people think that Christianity is a set of requirements that you fulfill in a short time.

But Christianity is not like that. I once heard someone say this:

“Christianity is not a sprint but a marathon.”

How true that is!

While a sprint is a very fast, quick and short race, a marathon is a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards.

Christianity is a long journey, and a combination of different marathons. When we think we finished it all, got it all covered, to our surprise we find ourselves standing at the beginning of the race in some areas of life. Why? Because each area of life has its own race.

So, as a Christian, if you still struggle in one or more than one areas of life, take courage. We all do struggle in one way or other. Our focus shouldn’t be on our struggles but on making sure that we stay on the race, putting one foot in front of the other and walking towards the end.

Yes, the good news is that there is an end to our race. A unique race is marked out to each one of us. And as our race has a beginning, it also has an end and the end is the one that should excite us all the most. Do you know why?

Well, our Big Brother, Jesus Christ, had already ran and finished the race on our behalf and He is now with us all the time, making sure that we get to the finishing line with victory at the presence of our enemy.

Wow! If that doesn’t excite us, I don’t what will.

Listen:

“Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.” Hebrews 12:1

One who finished his race that was marked out for him wrote:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Beautiful, isn’t it?

So, this same man, St. Paul, gives us few basic principles to run and finish our race (please read it carefully:)

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? 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. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Strike a blow to my body and make it my slave!” I love it!

This is key to finish our race well: striking a blow to our body and making it OUR SLAVE, not the other way round, our body, our fleshly and sinful desire, making us its slaves. ///