The other day a friend I had not talked to for some time asked if I was still running. Yes, my times have not been quite as good as I would like but I am still running. Travel schedules and winter weather pose challenges – but, if it is not one thing it is always another. The key is to put on the shoes again and just keep running.

As I have reflected on our conversation the Holy Spirit has stirred my heart about a race that is far greater than any physical exercise (1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:1). New believers often come out of the starting block with great enthusiasm. They run! And then…they don’t.

Are you still running?

There is a tendency to lessen our intensity over time. In Psalm 1 we are warned against “walking” in the counsel of ungodly people, “standing” in the way of sinners, and “sitting” in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1). Did you ever notice the digression? The forward motion becomes less and less.

The truth is that if a man is running as he ought to run, he will not be walking, standing, or sitting. Moving forward with the Lord keeps a man from so many distractions and detours. The Christian life is not a casual stroll or a spectator sport. It is a race!

Are you still running?

The Apostle Paul wrote to a group of believers who used to run faithfully but had stopped, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7) How sad that so much of our running is past tense.

Most often it is not something that hinders us from running, it is someone. It’s not a what – it’s a “who.” Who is hindering you? Have you allowed some influence to cool your passion for Christ and His will? Run the race! Pick up the pace and you will leave those influences behind.

In my own life I have discovered that the “who” is many times ME! We love to blame others, but it is our own slothfulness and self life that gets in the way. Lay aside your own weights and sins today and run the race. Say no to self and yes to Jesus.

The finish line is near. Christ is waiting at the crowning place. Don’t coast to the end – run the race! Finish triumphantly. Ask God to help you say at the judgment seat, ” I have finished my course” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Are you still running?