Running the Race

During my morning study I decided to go to the CRU Press Green website for some learning. The article I came across was about the return of Christ and how for Christians, its a lot like running a race, but with significant meaning. In this article, Rick James, uses multiple pieces of scripture to explain our Race. I just wanted to hit on a couple of them this afternoon.

1. BE READY

Luke 12:40 "you also must be ready, for the son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." What does it mean to be ready? What seems to be implied is that we should be living our lives in such a way that we would not need to make any dramatic changes in how we are living, even if we knew Christ was going to return tomorrow.

2. KEEP FOCUSED

1 Peter 1:13 "Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." Here Peter is concerned that Christians, in times of struggle, will turn back to old habits of sin. Stay focused on the prize, do not fall short of what Christ is asking of you.

3. PICK UP THE PACE

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching."  Also in  1 Thessalonians 5:4 "This day should not surprise you like a thief."  Christians should have a growing awareness that Christ's return is immanent.

4. All THE MORE

Finally Rick James explains how athletes change as the game winds down to the final moments of a game. For instance, in the early innings of a baseball game it seems that all the players are playing their hardest to score first and to make the routine plays. But if you watch a game, with only a few outs left, the players seem to play harder, players seem to want the baseball more, making diving plays, being more selective at the plate, etc... What we realize is that competitors play differently in the final moments of a game than they do in the first inning, quarter, or period. This is the sense and motivation of "all the more" that we only get as we keep our eyes on "that day approaching." As the word of Jesus Christ makes its final lap around the world, we as Christians should have a sense of anticipation that causes us to pick up the pace of our Christian lives and ministry. This is the "all the more" and alertness that Christians need right now.


This is how we grow, by being Iron men. By encouraging one another with the word and by holding each other accountable. Make an extra effort to pick up your pace this week as a Christian Brother.

"Future man of Steel"