In a story titled “Former UWO Titan runner wins Fox Cities Marathon, sets sights on Boston” published yesterday, the writer said: When Oshkosh resident John Thill graduated from UW-Oshkosh with his bachelor’s degree in social work in May, he started looking for new experiences. On Sunday, Sept. 21, he found himself on the start line of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon (presented by Miron), his first race longer than 10,000 meters.Two hours, 39 minutes and 19 seconds later, Thill was the first to cross the finish line, winning his debut marathon.
“The environment was very interesting. It was never something I thought about doing before,” Thill said. “I’m still speechless on the results and what happened, it’s so fresh.”
When asked why he decided to start with a full marathon instead of a shorter race like the half marathon, Thill said, “If I’m going to a half, why not just do the full right away? Once I finish the half, I know I’m going to want to do more, so why not do the whole thing? I wanted to see what I am capable of doing and just go from there so I can grow as a runner and as a person.
As someone who went straight from doing one 5k to running marathons, I have to tell you that this story made me smile. Most of my fellow runners questioned my decision at the time to not follow the normal “pattern” of the running world when increasing distance all those years ago—since we are conditioned to believe that running at least one 5k, one 10k, and one half marathon are the prerequisites for completing the 26.2 mile distance. Thankfully, John’s decision to skip the pattern and go where he was led paid off for him, as did mine. Led by the Holy Spirit in the fall of 2008 to organize and complete my first marathon, what began as a fundraiser (Marathon of Hope) to help a friend diagnosed with cancer turned into a running ministry that is still going today. This is the very reason believers must train their minds to hear, listen, and obey the Lord rather than the world.
This principle of training the mind is the very thing Paul was talking about when he said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4
Paul was warning us that Christians must think differently from the world—so differently in fact that we appear awkward, out of touch, or even backwards at times. You see the world’s way of thinking is in complete rebellion against God—the enemy’s way of thinking supports ideas like “there’s nothing wrong with sin if it makes you happy” or “you don’t need God,” or even “the Bible is so outdated.” But the truth is this…“friendship with the world means enmity against God” and worldly thinking always leads to spiritual death.
Hence the reason our minds must be constantly transformed by continually renewing them. In other words, the mind is a battleground where there is rarely a moment when a war between good and evil is not taking place. The battle is lost when we conform to world by believing the devil’s lies but won when we take those thoughts captive and transform them with God’s Truth.
It’s when we do this that we know we are on course to fulfill our unique purpose and make it to the finish line! Why? Because when we develop the mindset of Jesus, by committing the words of the Bible to memory (allowing us to weigh every thought against the Word), we “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This means we will get on and stay on the path God has for us that will lead us to the purpose He has for us.
So, if you were to examine your thinking today, what would it reveal my friend? Would it show that you a friend of the world or a friend of God? If you’re unsure, consider the words of David in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Earnestly pray those words and then ask God to help you detect and transform any ungodly thoughts into those that honor Him--and then pray that He would continue this sanctifying work until the day He calls you home.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are never to conform to the world’s way of thinking, no matter how tempting it might be to do so. Help us to detect any and all thoughts and ideas (including the lies the enemy puts in our head) that are not godly and take them captive. Give us a hunger for your Word Lord that we might be able to win the battle in our minds by continually transforming our thinking to seek Your way and Your will. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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