How To Train for Eternity

I am not a runner. The only time you will see me run is when there is a wasp chasing me. Just because I am not a runner by nature does not mean I cannot run. I’ve recently been training for my first 5K. Is it fun every time I do it? No. Does it come easy to me? Nada. Do I sometimes wonder why I even try? For sure! I am realizing that I will never get better at running if I refuse to do it because it’s tiring, challenging, and causes me to stretch myself. Excuses like these exempt us from the potential to grow. Our Christian walk is a lot like training for a race. Unlike the one-day race, we are training to prepare for eternity with Jesus.

Rehearse a new mindset: When I first started training for my race, I focused on how weak I was. I thought about how far I had to prepare. I didn’t know if I should even try because I knew my deficits. Similarly, when we focus on our lack of faith or spiritual maturity, we can get stuck in our feelings. We can get stuck in feeling like “maybe I’ll always be like this” or “there’s no way someone like me could be used by God”. Paul, a true trailblazer for Jesus said, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own” (Phillipians 3:12 ESV). This man of God was already spreading the Gospel to the nations and yet realized how much more God had for him. Paul let his mindset be changed by who he was in Christ. Instead of focusing on what he couldn’t do on his own, Paul focused on what Christ could do through him. It’s almost as if Paul rejoices in his shortcomings because in those places, God can get the glory. The mindset of progress will lead us further in our faith than we ever thought we would go.

Form new habits: My identity in Christ is secure because of my salvation. I have been brought from being an enemy of God to an adopted daughter of Christ. Because of the Gospel, I have new life. When I said “yes” to Jesus, it did not feel like new life. It felt like my same life. My walk of sanctification rids my life of the things that don’t point me to Jesus and strengthens the areas that reflect Jesus. Sanctification is a lot like training. As I have been training for my race, I’ve been learning good and bad running habits. I’ve put away old breathing rhythms and running forms. I’ve replaced them with new techniques and strides. As I exchange old ways of running for new, I’ve seen growth in my abilities. While my present stage in Christ may not be the same place as someone else’s, that does not make it any less valued in God’s eyes. I am unfinished. As I spend time in God’s Word and pray to Jesus, I am being transformed in the way I think.

Change your attitude: To make progress, attitude is everything. My attitude can either allow me to persist or resist the place where I can be used by God. When I allow insecurities and doubts to creep into my mind, I am focused on what I can do by myself. When I give my fears to God, I am in the place where He can be Lord over my fears. 1 Peter 5:7 tells me to “Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” When I allow God the right place in my heart, He can do what He promised to do. We are reminded of the Lord’s desire to be first in our heart in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” God wants to give us blessings and help during our life, but we have to learn to lean on Him for our strength.

Focus on the process: Muscle was being built on the days I consistently worked out. This daily choice had the ability to become a part of my process. We can get stronger and less likely to chicken out because it hurts or takes more time. When I first began making the choice to read God’s Word every morning, it felt unnatural and forced. As it became a habit, I began to enjoy my time in the Word and look forward to the time I can spend learning about Jesus. If I focused on how strange it felt at first, I would have refused progress because of the pains of the process. Athletes do not win the race without practice and training. Believers do not increase their faith without putting in the time, effort, and energy.

Learn from your mistakes: I made a lot of mistakes when first learning how to breathe properly during a run. Some running friends encouraged me to breathe during my run. I take things very literally, so I was breathing in and out starting from my first stride. By a half mile, I was huffing and puffing. Needless to say, this was one of many lessons I learned through training. We cannot let our mistakes be the end of the story. God doesn't want perfection. He wants us to love Him and long to be more like Him. On this journey, we are going to "miss the mark". We are told to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you" (Matthew 6:33 ESV). When we do things that do not honor God, we should repent. I used to think that repentance was necessary so I could be in right standing with God, again. I viewed it as necessary for my saving faith. I'm learning that once I am saved, repentance looks like turning from my sinful ways and to a life after God. Repentance is not to remind me that I am sinful and imperfect, but it is to return back to God. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out." I should not focus on the shame and guilt of my sin, but be reminded of the one who still loves me and longs for a relationship with me. 

From the world’s standard, progress is not what is celebrated. Those who are celebrated in the world get rich quick, are naturally smart, and were born fast. People who seem to be blessed with talents or unbelievable circumstances strike us as amazing. For most people, though, there is blood, sweet, and tears that goes into reaching their potential. When we see people on television, we are seeing the results of the rehearsals. We are seeing the best version of what they have been making practicing. We are developing habits and attitudes right now to prepare for eternity. Maybe we are not “there” yet. Maybe we are far from where we think “there” is. May we focus on the progress and not get caught up in what we lack. God is more concerned with the heart we have to do His will, than if everything we strive for comes to completion.