Intentional Training

"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...Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly...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 (NIV).

You are a runner! The analogy of training, running and finishing the race represents our need for self-discipline in our calling. It determines the outcome...because we all, sooner or later, cross that proverbial finish line. Intentional training is required. I ran a three mile race when I was 24 years old. My training was, shall I say, undisciplined. The most I ran at one time was one mile before the day of the race. My thought was, if I could run one mile I could run three. I struggled after the first mile, stopping to walk some of the way, but oh the joy I felt when I saw that finish line. My speed picked up and I crossed over. I won no prize that day. What I do remember of that race was the exhilarating rush upon seeing the finish line before me and...the realization that I hadn't run the race I had hoped to run. I'm now training to run a 5K. I may not win that race's prize, "But one thing I do...straining toward what is ahead...the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" (Philippians 3:13-14). Intentional training is required; Jesus is on the other side of that finish line.