Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

" But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."  James 1:25

Many people shy away from hills.  They make it easy on themselves, but that limits their improvement.  The more you repeat something, the stronger you get. - Joe Catalano, Runners World

Improvement.  We're all striving for it in one way or another. Whether it be in our job, our family or our running, there's always room for improvement somewhere.  And, how do you get better at something?  In the world of running, it's by doing repeats.  Repeats are typically defined as:  a speed workout (consisting of at least a portion of the run going faster than an easy running pace) that is repeated with periods of recovery in between.  For instance, if someone tells you that they are doing 800 meter repeats, it means they are doing 800 meters hard, then taking a recovery and then doing another 800 and continuing for a specified amount.  

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this.  Well, after doing repeats this morning, I thought about the benefits of it in relation to bible study.  So many times I have read a scripture, not truly understood it, and then just moved on (because it was too hard to try and comprehend).  But, what if I treated my bible training like I did my physical training?  When something is hard to understand, why not press in and read harder?  Then take a break to contemplate it and go back again, repeating the process until I achieved understanding?  What a concept!  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"  Training in righteousness?  Now, that sounds useful.  1 Timothy 4:8 says, "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."  Whoa, I love benefits, don't you?

What repeats do for physical training, applying that same principle to bible study can do for your spiritual training.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."  The Word is alive!  The more you read it, the deeper your relationship with Christ becomes.  The bible is His message to us.  The more we repeat, repeat and repeat our studies, the better we understand this message. 

By applying the principles we use to train physically to our spiritual training, we can become stronger in our faith and knowledge of God's word.  Sounds great, doesn't it?   Why not start today?  Have fun with those "repeats"!

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your word that teaches us what we need to know to run the good race.  My prayer is that we would hunger and thirst for understanding of the words You have given us in the bible and have a desire to pursue righteousness through You.  In Your precious name we pray, Jesus.  Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Turn it up!!!