So, a group of five friends have decided that it’s time to start pursuing a healthier lifestyle. For them, this means running 3km every day.
To begin with, all the friends are excited about the new lifestyle. In the first week almost all the friends are up in the morning, eager and ready to run.
But then as the month progresses some of the friends get too busy, some get tired, others become distracted whilst others simply lose their enthusiasm to continue with the daily run.
Eventually by the time a month is over, four of the friends have stopped running every day and only one of them is still pursuing the healthier lifestyle. It is this friend who is likely to continue with this lifestyle well into their old age.
Does this story sound familiar?
Whilst this story may be relatable, it also works well as a metaphor for Christianity.
Not All Stay Committed to the End
The Bible tells us that Christianity is a race (2 Timothy 4:7) but unfortunately, not all finish that race.
There are many people who start out as Christians but not all keep their focus and enthusiasm to be a Christian to the end. Like the four friends in the story, not all stay committed to the end.
Some people get distracted by life’s pleasures (Luke 8:14), some grow tired of life’s trials (Mark 4:16-17) and some simply lose their enthusiasm. (Luke 8:13)
But as a Christian you do not want to be one of the many that grow tired and discouraged. Your desire should be to be one of the few who finishes the race.
But the question is “How do you keep from losing focus? How do you finish the race?”
Well, one of the key ways is by being consistent.
You Must Be Consistent
In order to finish the race of faith, you must be consistent. This means praying, reading the Bible and meditating on it, continually. Not only when you go to church or when you need something from God but every day.
Doing this will keep you focused on the things of God, and it is this focus that will then help you to be consistent in walking with God. For it is through God’s Word that you gain an understanding of the kind of life you must live as His follower.
As you meditate on it, His Word will also take over your thinking process and lead you to act on what it says. But in order for this to happen, you must read His Word, meditate on it and pray, without ceasing.
You Must Be Humble
Another important thing that is needed if you desire to finish the Christian race is humility.
2 Chronicles 12:1 gives us a glimpse of what happens when we have pride in ourselves and in our abilities and strength. We run the risk of forsaking God, just like King Rehoboam did in the Scripture.
However, as a Christian, you must always be aware of how much you need God. You must humble yourself before Him, knowing that without Him, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Furthermore, the Bible tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5) Yet, it is God’s grace that we need more than anything, to be able to finish the race. But to receive more of it you must be humble and part of being humble is depending on God.
You Must Depend on God
When you depend on God you will understand that you need Him for everything. You need Him to eat, walk and talk and to succeed in every area of your life, including in your spiritual li
When you depend on God, you will also understand that it is by His grace that you can achieve anything. It is not your strength, your might or your ability but it is His Spirit that works powerfully in you (Zechariah 4:6) and enables you to succeed.
We need the help of God’s Spirit and God’s grace to be able to run the race and, most importantly, finish the race. For, the Bible tells us that it is only he who finishes the race that will be rewarded. (Revelation 2:26)
The One Who Finishes is the One Who Overcomes
God has prepared great rewards for His saints. (Revelation 21:7) But those rewards will only be given to those who persevere through the trials (James 1:12), who endure persecution (1 Peter 3:14), who continue steadfastly in doing good (Romans 2:7) and who keep the faith to the end. (2 Timothy 4:7)
This reward is only for those who endure until the end and overcome, only for those who finish the race. But we can only finish this race with God’s help.
Therefore, our prayer must be that, by God’s grace, we are consistent in seeking the Lord, that we remain humble and that we always depend on God to keep us on the path of righteousness. So that when our time to leave this earth draws near, we can join the Apostle Paul in saying:
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8(ESV))
