God Controls the Forecast

“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1 NIV

“Final hours of warmth before dangerous wind chills return tomorrow morning.” “Yikes,” I thought to myself as I looked at the KY3 Weather Alert that popped up on my watch late yesterday morning. The wind gusts of 20-21 mph predicted for my hometown were going to drop the temps from the 70’s to the teens overnight. “I’m sure thankful we’re on the way to Texas where it won’t be quite as cold,” I said to my husband, who was busy driving us to the lone star state for a New Years ultra marathon. “Me too,” he emphatically said. 

I’m also thankful that we live in a time where we can not only prepare for crazy weather changes such as this but can enjoy the “good times” while we have them. I myself, took advantage of the four springlike days we were blessed with in the Midwest by cleaning out the garage, airing out the house, enjoying lots of outdoor time, and even running a race with my husband. Knowing “when” our situations will take a turn for the worse (or for the better) can sure help us brace for the unpredictability of life—which seems to mimic our recent weather patterns. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

And you know, although you and I know we will have trouble in this world (the Bible is very clear about that), it can be disheartening when the trouble seems to have no end. 

This was something King David, like countless other believers, struggled with. In Psalm 13, David asked the question, “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” He then went on to ask “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” By the repeated question of “how long,” you can feel David’s growing anxiousness and distress. 

He felt (noticed the word felt) God had forgotten him which caused him to earnestly grapple and contend with his conception of reality—something that never ends well.  This worry created by looking at himself and his situation rather than looking up to the One who controls all situations continued to spiral David’s mental distress which created even more inner turmoil, causing David to say “Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. Because of his uncontrolled and racing thoughts, David was now despairing of life itself!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

But this is the deal… feelings aren’t facts. And the facts are this… God’s love is unfailing, our salvation is secure, and God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. For this reason, God commands us to “be strong and courageous” because the Lord, our God, goes with us wherever we go. That means God never forgets us no matter how we “feel.” 

Thankfully, David (who was very familiar with the Scriptures) finally came to his senses and said, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me.” When David chose (and it’s a choice) to replace fear with faith and to trust in God despite the way things “looked” to the human eye, his heart’s worry turned to rejoicing and his pessimism turned to praise! He remembered that God was in control and that changed everything!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

So, no matter what you’re going through today, resist the urge to look inward and fret my friend. Instead, choose to remember that feelings aren’t facts and look up instead. In this world we will have trouble, but we know that God will work all things for our good, our troubles will only last as long as is necessary to produce that good, and God will always be with us. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are in control of all things and that You sit on a throne that’s established and unshakeable. Help us to look to You when we are feeling down Lord or asking “why” or “how long” that we might not trust our feelings and spiral into despair. Compel us to know the Word Lord so that we will always be ready to use the Truth to keep our thoughts in check.  It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Develop That Inner Flame

“Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.” Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV

In an interesting story published by Runner's World yesterday, the writer shared three pieces of running advice he says changed his training for the better. The first key takeaway after having more than 50 conversations with run coaches was: Plan training for the year. The second was: Ditch your watch for more than a day. And lastly: Make sure you really want to train for a race. 

As an RRCA certified run coach myself, the third takeaway is the one I find most important for long term success. 

The writer went on to explain why: I spoke with several run coaches this year who all said the same thing: You have to have an internal fire, or an intrinsic reason for training and signing up for a race. Elizabeth Corkum, certified run coach at Equinox in New York City and owner of Coach Corky Runs, and Josh Wessler, ACSM-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, spoke about having a personal meaning for training for your race, no matter the distance. Yes, race day is special, but you have to fall in love with the training in front of you because that’s where you’ll spend most of your time.

The quote that stood out to me the most came from Jess Movold, Austin-based certified strength and running coach, who spoke about going from a half to full marathon: “There has to be an inner fire. There has to be an internal flame, your own Olympic torch that does not go out, that is connecting you to that distance and that deep desire to do it,” she says.

Spiritually speaking, this "inner fire" or unquenchable desire to serve God is what drove Jeremiah, also known as the "weeping prophet," to continue preaching a message of repentance for 40 years to the sinful and crumbling nation of Judah, despite seeing any real success in changing or softening the hearts and minds of the stubborn and idolatrous people. Furthermore, Jeremiah was forbidden to marry or have children and his friends had turned their backs on him which left the prophet with no human comfort to speak of. 

In addition to that, Jeremiah faced intense opposition, punishment, and mockery, leading him to resolve to stop prophesying at one point saying, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But because Jeremiah's motivation to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to God came out of his love for the Lord and for the Lord's people, Jeremiah had an irresistible urge to speak that could not be contained. This internal flame led Jeremiah to say, "But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not." 

Do you get that? Jeremiah said that he "could not" hold it back. Not that he would not but that he could not! Talk about carrying his own Olympic torch that does not go out! Jeremiah knew that his success wasn't measured as the world measures greatness but how God measures it. And God measures our success by our obedience--obedience that is directly linked to our love for Him. 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 NIV

So, as we look forward to a new year, keep Christmas in your heart at all times my friend. Remember that God loved you so much that He sent His one and only Son to save you so that your love for Him and your "internal fire" to serve Him might never wane no matter what might come against you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You don't measure success in the same way the world does. Help us to understand that this life is fleeting and that only the things we do for You will have eternal value. Lord, cause us to have a burning fire shut up in our bones so that we would be compelled to fulfill whatever mission You have given us. Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for our sins. Help us to never forget His sacrifice that our love for You might grow each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The King of kings Came Humbly

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2: 6-7 NIV

As I listened to the words of Manger Throne by Third Day on my Christmas Eve early morning run yesterday, I had to fight back tears as I meditated on the words…

What kind of King would leave his throne
In Heaven to make this Earth his home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In lowliness our King comes down
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
How we thank you that you've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
A manger throne for God's own son
You left the sound of angels praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this baby's helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
How we thank you that you've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
A manger throne for God's own son
What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart too
I'll make it a royal throne for you
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
How we thank you that you've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
A manger throne for God's own son
Jesus, Jesus, precious one (precious Jesus)
How we thank you that you've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious one
A manger throne (my heart is a throne)
My heart is a throne for God's own son

Jesus left His throne. Do you you get that? The King of kings could have come into the world as the Mighty God and King that He is but chose, instead, to come as a baby born of a virgin whose first bed was a manger. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-13

Why did Christ come in such a humble and lowly way? After all, future kings and queens are not only born in suitably luxurious places such as palaces or the best-equipped hospitals, but their births are widely announced, anticipated, and celebrated because of their familial status. But the birth of the Son of God could not have been more different.

To put it simply, Jesus Christ came humbly in a manger to show God's love is accessible to everyone, not just the powerful; to model ultimate humility, service, and identification with the poor; to fulfill prophecy; and to demonstrate that true spiritual greatness comes from God's grace, not worldly status, allowing people to approach Him in faith, not fear. His manger symbolized stepping into humanity's brokenness and making God relatable even to the lowliest. Does that make you smile or what? 

 
So, before the celebration of Christmas Day  begins, let us join together in praise singing “Jesus, Jesus, precious one, How we thank you that you've come. Jesus, Jesus, precious one, A manger throne for God's own son. Jesus, Jesus, precious one (precious Jesus), How we thank you that you've come. Jesus, Jesus, precious one.” With thankful hearts, then, let us pledge to allow our hearts to be a throne for God's own Son each and every day. After all, in response to receiving the greatest gift we could ever receive, which is eternal life, how could our response be any different? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for modeling what true humility is for us. Although we will never understand fully this side of heaven all that your sacrifice entailed, help us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to You in response to it. And on this day and every day, Lord, help us to be bold witnesses of what your birth, death, burial, and resurrection means for mankind. Thank You for Christmas. It’s in your precious and we pray Jesus amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Strengthen Your Lungs by Singing

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about what today is... it's Christmas Eve! That means tomorrow is Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And while many people celebrate differently, there's one way to celebrate that will actually help you become a better runner. What way is that you might ask? By singing of course!!

Now, if that has you saying, "Melissa, I don't sing well and I really don't know any good Christmas songs," then you're in luck! You don't have to sing well to reap the benefits of belting out a tune. For real! Speaking of benefits... check out these ways caroling can help your pulmonary function which will make you a better runner: 

Strengthens Respiratory Muscles: Singing uses and strengthens your diaphragm and intercostal (rib) muscles, which are crucial for deep, efficient breaths during running.

Deep & Controlled Breathing: It trains diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing) and teaches you to control the flow of air out of your lungs (exhalation), similar to pursed-lip breathing used in pulmonary rehab.

Increases Lung Capacity & Stamina: Sustained singing improves respiratory endurance and lung capacity, helping you maintain airflow and effort for longer periods, just like running intervals.

Improves Efficiency: Singing requires managing airflow and pressure, making your respiratory system more efficient at taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, which translates to better performance and less fatigue when running.

Enhances Posture: Singing encourages better posture, allowing for more open airways and more effective breathing.

Moving on... now let's look at a Christmas carol that's perfect for runners. We might be a little behind on the curveball as we don't actually have 12 days of Christmas left, but that's okay! This is one of the longest holiday tunes you'll ever croon and it takes a lot of wind to do it. So, to get yourself ready for that Christmas morning run and then a crazy morning of unwrapping presents, practice this song today and you'll not only be more jolly but more winded (like the play on words) in a good way.

The 12 Days of Christmas: A Runner’s Edition 

On the first day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
A fresh new pair of running shoes

On the second day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the third day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the fourth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
Four water stops

Three easy miles
Two tech-fit socks
And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the fifth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
Four water stops

Three easy miles
Two tech-fit socks
And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the sixth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the seventh day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the eighth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Eight mindset shifts
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the ninth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Nine foam-roll sessions
 Eight mindset shifts
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the tenth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Ten carbs for fueling
 Nine foam-roll sessions
 Eight mindset shifts
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Eleven strength-day circuits
 Ten carbs for fueling
 Nine foam-roll sessions
 Eight mindset shifts
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my running gave to me:
 Twelve reasons I love running
 Eleven strength-day circuits
 Ten carbs for fueling
 Nine foam-roll sessions
 Eight mindset shifts
 Seven sunrise runs
 Six playlists playing
 FIVE GOLDEN PRs!
 Four water stops
 Three easy miles
 Two tech-fit socks
 And a fresh new pair of running shoes

And there you have it friends. The Christmas season is full of traditions and adding the singing of this song to that list will add a little tinsel to your tempo runs. And who doesn’t want that? 

So grab your Santa hat, lace up your shoes, and enjoy this runner’s take on the classic Christmas song. Sing it loud (or at least hum it while you’re out on your long run) because as Buddy the Elf always says, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

Merry Christmas and Happy Running!

Dispel the Christmas Myths

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NIV

In a story titled "Santa joins 4,000 runners to celebrate the holiday season and ‘Run for a Claus’" published by Yahoo News Sunday, the writer said: The “Run for a Claus” in Orange County has become one of the region’s favorite holiday traditions, and the 12th edition took place on Saturday morning at a new venue. That venue was Great Park in Irvine – the run used to be held at UC Irvine.

Participants of the 5K/mile run enjoyed festive holiday experiences, including photos with Santa, and got a “running start” to the Christmas week.

“I’ve been here since the very first year, and it has just continued to get bigger [with] more community support,” Santa Claus himself told KTLA 5’s Erin Myers. “The crew is doing wonderful work and we would be lost without them.”

And, you know, when it comes to traditions, or as defined: inherited, established, or customary patterns of thought, action, or behaviors (such as a religious practice or a social custom), you and I would do well to remember that many of the world's “traditions” keep us away from celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

And the true meaning, of course, is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who came to Earth as our Savior to bring hope, love, and redemption from sin, fulfilling prophecy with his life, death, and resurrection, offering eternal life to believers. The true meaning of Christmas is love… “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We celebrate Christmas because God loved His own (that’s us!) and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love.

“And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” Revelation 12:9 BSB

And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with traditions such as Santa runs, photos with Saint Nick, Christmas parades, Elf on a Shelf, and things of that sort, we must be vigilant in keeping Jesus at the forefront.

You see, the enemy “called the devil and Satan” is called “the deceiver of the whole world” for a reason. Since the moment his pride caused him to hate God and all those who are made in His image, the ancient serpent has been doing all he can to persuade mankind into believing that there is no God and that, even if there was, we would not need Him. In fact, Satan wants the worship intended only for God.

You can be sure then that the devil hates Christmas! And will attempt to shift the world's focus from Jesus to materialism, busyness, stress, endless shopping, and disguising pagan myths as the true meaning of the season—thus making the season empty of the birth of Christ.

So, don’t be fooled by the enemy's deceptive practices my friend. Keep your eyes on Christ this Christmas season and work to share the true meaning of Christmas. Tell everyone you know that Jesus Christ is the One we celebrate this coming Christmas morning. He is the One who is the Light of the World that came so that we could have eternal life, and He is the only One deserving of our love, honor, worship, and praise. 

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have a job to do this Christmas season and that job is to share Jesus Christ with the world. Lord, help us to use the customs and things of this world the enemy brought about that was intended to take our eyes off the Savior's birth to point the lost to Jesus and to open up conversations about the true meaning of Christmas. Help us to be bold in sharing the Message and inviting all we know to join us for a Christmas Eve service. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Be Occupied with Christ

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Like most people this time of year, my husband and I have been “busy.” This busyness—brought on by multiple holiday parties, shopping, writing, teaching Bible study, working, life, and training for a 55-hour ultra as well—was beginning to wear on us so much that we admitted to feeling overwhelmed. At one point my husband asked me, “How did we get so busy?” To which I smiled and replied, “I don’t know but I do know that we can’t keep up this schedule.”

And while our schedules will most certainly clear up after the new year and the completion of the ultra (God willing of course), this season caused me to understand something. Busy is not always good.

You see, the definition of “busy” is having a great deal to do. But if the great deal to do isn’t done for Jesus, then busy is just a filling up of our schedules in vain. It’s doing things that will have no eternal value.

This was a theme my pastor and dear friend drove home yesterday in church when talking about the busyness of the season that apparently many others were feeling. “We are not to be busy,” he said. “We are to be occupied with Christ.” Oh boy. Did that hit home!

In other words, we are to, as Paul said, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” knowing that the work we do for the Lord and building up the Kingdom is never in vain. This work of the Lord is the work of preaching, teaching, and being a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This work is to occupy our time and fully use our talents and treasures. This is not “busy” work but purposeful work done with the same tenacious attitude as Paul--who completed the job God had given him with unswerving dedication, recognizing that serving Christ involves real labor.

You can be sure, the rewards of heaven are worth going all out for too, which is what Paul meant when he said our labor is not in vain.

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Which is the very reason that, when the going gets tough or discouraging, ministers of the gospel (that's us!) must remember to “not grow weary in doing good,” even if, and especially when we aren’t seeing any fruit from our labors. You can be sure this is the time the enemy will whisper lies into our ears saying, “Just give up. What you’re doing doesn’t really matter.” This is the time when we need to remember that our job is to sow the Word and to pray over the seeds that were planted by doing so.

“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:20

And we must never ever give up!  As the Parable of the Sower illustrates to us, some of the seeds we plant will not endure or take root for various reasons but… the ones sown on good ground will bear much fruit! This is the reason, then, we must continue to plant and the reason we must not be “busy” with the things of this world but must keep our hearts and minds stayed on Jesus… abounding in the work of the Lord at all times, even in the “busy” seasons of life.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

So, as we celebrate this season, let me give you one more reminder my friend. If the devil can’t make us bad, he will make us busy. And since this is the time of year when people will be most receptive to hearing the Good News of the Gospel, we must not be too "busy” to grab hold of every opportunity to share it. Let us look at the extra events and responsibilities added to our schedules as opportunities (rather than inconveniences) to reach the lost and to declare that Jesus Christ came to give us the best gift ever… the gift of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the world will "busy" us up with things that don't matter so that we don't have time for the things that do matter. Help us to be ultra discerning as we go through this Christmas season Lord that we would not become overwhelmed but would be found abounding in the work of the Lord and doing good. Thank You for the gift of salvation that your Son Jesus provided by his birth, death, burial, and resurrection. Help us to honor his sacrifice by living intent on serving You and and sharing the Good News. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Collective Efforts Pay Off

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

In a story titled 106 Runners Ran the Olympic Trials Standard at CIM. Here’s Why It’s an OTQ Hotbed published by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer said: Instead of walking beyond the finish line, like most runners do after completing 26.2, the elite athletes usually stick around to support their competitors reaching the end of the California International Marathon (CIM).

As the runners closed in on downtown Sacramento, a giant clock over the finish line showed the time elapsed since the gun went off before sunrise in Folsom on December 7. The athletes in the championship field, and many in the seeded corrals, were fixated on running the same time—for men, it was sub-2:16, and for women, it was sub-2:37—the standards to qualify for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.As Brooklyn-based runner Leigh Ann Sharek noted in an interview with Road to the Trials, large packs of runners worked together to achieve the Olympic Trials qualifying standard at CIM. 

Unlike other major marathons, competitors act more like teammates on the famously fast, point-to-point course. “The nice thing is I’m not racing against the girl next to me, we’re both trying to make it,” Sharek said after the race.

The collective effort paid off when 106 runners—54 women and 52 men—ran under the Olympic Trials qualifier (OTQ), a record for the current standards at the event

Danielle Domenichelli, the sport development and media relations director for the Sacramento Running Association who’s worked with the race organization since 2013, later said that seeing the record number of runners achieve qualifying times under the current standards was rewarding. Her favorite moment from the event was watching the elite runners hover around the finish area and cheer on the last few athletes as they kicked with seconds to spare. “I was excited about the front of the race, but for the OTQ there at the end, with everyone hugging and high fiving, it’s pretty special and something I haven’t seen that much at other races.”

And, you know, in the same way these individual runners showed unity to ensure that all the runners reached their goal, believers in leadership roles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) should be using their God-given gifts and talents “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God...”

You see, although we all have our own race to run, leaders are called to both ensure that all believers qualify for heaven by hearing and accepting the Gospel and also complete the ultimate goal of growing into a unified, spiritually mature body by gaining a deep, personal, and comprehensive understanding of Jesus. In essence, this passage describes a dynamic, participatory church where leaders empower followers to grow, serve, and become more like Jesus, moving all members of the body of Christ towards complete spiritual maturity.

The main purpose of these leaders is to equip (prepare, train, edify, and build up) all believers for the "work of ministry," so that every Christian can serve as they are called to, using their God-given talents to their fullest potential. The collective efforts of the leaders and these equipped believers then build up the Church (the "body of Christ") to grow the Kingdom. Which is the very reason we must remember that we are all on the same team and should therefore cheer one another on to meet the qualifying standard.

So, do what you can to support your fellow teammates my friend. Lift them up and encourage them at every opportunity--knowing that if we all do our part, the collective effort will pay off. The Church (that's us) will be equipped for works of service that will build up the body of Christ and impact a world in desperate need of knowing Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that believers are to work collectively to build up the church. Help us to do our part, whether that’s in leadership or other acts of service so that the body of Christ will be mature and effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!