"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer." 2 Timothy 2:3,4
The photo captured of the overall female champion of the RAK Half Marathon on Friday in Ras-al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates said it all. Complete and sheer exhaustion was evident on the face of Peres Jepshirshir, 23, of Kenya who, after battling fellow Kenyan runner, Mary Keitany, and setting a new women's world record of 1:05:06 (3 seconds faster than the previous record) collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line. Averaging an amazing 4:57 mile pace for 13.1 miles, she gave her all to fight and beat Keitany by a mere .07 second. Talk about a battle to the very end!
Did you know that as followers of Jesus Christ, that you and I are in a fight too? An every day, all-out spiritual battle to the very end? You see, every moment of every day the devil is out to destroy us, our families, our testimonies and the effectiveness of every other Christian. Thus, you and I are called to stand alongside other believers, "like a good soldier of Jesus Christ."-to share in the same courage, commitment and willingness to renounce the ways of the world, to follow and please our "commanding officer" no matter how hard, tiring and long the battle may be.
J.C. Ryle sums it up this way, "The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death. He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence and security. He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and doze along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage." With that in mind, I ask you this question... are you up for the challenge?
Heavenly Father, thank you for being such and awesome God that is worthy of all of our praise, worship and commitment. Help us to follow you with a relentless pursuit, surrendering the ways of the world, each and every day as we race to the finish line to be crowned good and faithful soldiers. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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Lecrae - Give in
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