I am two weeks into my new exercise program.  Eating right, riding the elliptical machine, doing push-ups, cycling – really the whole sha-bang.  I have discovered a very hard, yet real truth… getting in shape takes a lot of hard work and the results are not quick in their arrival.  Two weeks, five pounds down… shouldn’t it be more like twenty!  As I munch down my carrot stick a parallel truth strikes me… spiritual growth is a lot like exercise… it takes hard work and endurance.

James 1:3 states,  “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”.  The testing of our faith?  Develops perseverance?  This sounds hard and not at all comforting, because the reality is that walking out the Christian life is not an easy road.  Time and time again, I have heard people proclaim, “come to Jesus and your life will be easy.”  Sorry gang, they lied.  Living for Christ is a life long journey that at times can take us down some difficult roads.  Decisions we need to make will not be viewed as popular – at times even socially unacceptable.  Our family, friends, or co-workers might not understand why we don’t do certain things or are committed to doing others.  We will come under attack, be mocked, and for some… even lose our lives.  But Jesus said that those who endure to the end, will be saved (Mk 13:13).

We could be a generation that sits by and doesn’t stand up for what God’s word says.  We could live a false Christianity that doesn’t pursue God with everything we have.  We could just go with the crowd, put on the pounds and get fat, or we can get out on the track and start running.

What legacy will this generation leave to the next?…

Will we follow Christ regardless of the cost?…

How much do we want to know the true God?…

My prayer for each of you who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus is that you will continue to “run the race” and “fight the good fight of faith” as St. Paul tells us in his epistles.  I pray that you will be encouraged to persevere in the hard times, to take a stand for godliness and righteousness, to allow Jesus to mold you into the person that you were created to be.  God is building His church, He is bringing His kingdom, He is restoring mankind to Himself.  No matter how difficult, regardless of the opposition or challenges ahead – never stop running.

I am off to bed now.  Up at 6am to workout… both spiritually and physically.

Shalom!

Brent