"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
What's the greatest part about having a training partner? Besides companionship, it's accountability. A friend that helps you stick to your goals and training can be the key to crossing the finish line. When running alone, it's easy to succumb to the temptation of running fast on a slow day or running slow on a hard training day. Having one or two running buddies is a blessing - find one fast friend to run speedwork with and one slower friend for recovery or slow days - or better yet, one who will stick with you through it all.
While friends can be beneficial in helping us train for a race, they are crucial for holding us accountable so we don't slip into temptation. 1 Peter 5:8-9 warns us to, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." and reminds us to, "Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." Every day we are faced with temptation. Eve was tempted in the garden while she was alone, David was alone when tempted into sin by Bathsheba and Jesus was alone when tempted by Satan as well. See the pattern here? We can't help being alone but we can fight back with the help of our friends. "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12
The next time you're tempted to skip out on your training, or worse yet, tempted to do, think or say something you know is not God's will, call a friend. A true friend will cry with you, counsel you, pray with you and for you and hold you accountable to stay on the right path. Choose your friends wisely and they will serve you well. It's been said that a true friend is the greatest of all blessings.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendship. Thank You for those people in our lives that will pick us up and set us on the right track when we stumble or fall. I pray that those in need of a true friend would find one, and that those capable of being a true friend would look for ways to fill that role. Let us follow your example of friendship and love, listen and serve at all times. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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