Gearing Up for a New Year

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT)

     It's a New Year and many people resolve to get healthier and more in shape. The stores are selling workout clothes and equipment and gyms will sell more memberships this month than any other time during the year. Maybe you are resolving to get healthier. Just be reminded as you put your sneakers and workout clothes on that as a believer in Christ, you are in a race. Be disciplined in your training like Paul talks about in Corinthians. Get your spiritual life in shape by adopting spiritual disciplines like prayer and reading God's Word. When you train for a regular race you may win a prize, but one day that prize will fade away. On the other hand, when you train spiritually you are gaining a prize that is eternal.

Paul tells us to be purposeful in every step. I know people that plan every exercise, doing certain muscle groups on certain days; tracking how much weight they can lift verses when they stared and every calorie put in their body. If we take so much care and time for a body that will one day fade away, how much care should we put into our spiritual life? Be purposeful. Fill your time with things that will nourish your soul and bring you closer to God. Paul says that he doesn't just talk the talk. Everything he preaches, he lives. He trained like an athlete with a prize in mind. This New Year resolve to do the same for yourself.