“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14 (NASB)
Do You Want to Walk or Run?
The team picked up a new player mid-season to replace an injured player. He was the first guy at chapel that week. When he asked to meet together concerning his spiritual growth, I asked him if he wanted to “walk or run.”
In the following weeks, this player discovered a new gear in his giddy-up that changed his relationship with Jesus and his impact on the team. We studied the Bible together, he learned how to handle Scripture, he shared his faith with teammates and he pulled them into the team ministry. Ten years later, he’s still running well as he expands his ministry involvement through his church.
We are living in an era when people like to settle for a pace best suited to their own schedule, commitment or comfort. Here’s the kicker: If you never intentionally pick up a little speed in your walk with Jesus, you’re missing out.
People say, “The Christian life is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash.” But, Scripture never characterizes the Christian life as an occasional stroll. When we step up the pace, we learn more, trust God more and see God do more. In Philippians 3, Paul used words/phrases like press on, strive and reaching forward. His understanding of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice compelled him to seek all that God had in store for him. There was nothing casual about it.
What happened with this athlete was not an exception. Athletes prove the principle every day in the weight room, in the film room and in team practice. Athletes who go a little harder usually go a little further. It is the difference between getting by and growing.
Want to pick up the pace a bit? Take a longer look at the third chapter of Philippians.
— Tom Petersburg, Catapult Ministries
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