Article by Lama-Leah
The Article is from the 2017 September Issue
Winning the Race
THE SPIRIT IN YOU
Within the walk of a believer, different seasons will be encountered but throughout every season the goal should be the same, to finish the race with strength, deserving the Crown of life; in order to achieve this goal, a new Christ-like thought process needs to be created. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” While this is the way that believers should be living, it can be easy for the matters of this world to get in the way of this goal. However, when we maintain a mindset that is directed towards heaven it can be accomplished.
".... then in time that fire that I once had dwindles down through the storms of life."
A key component to winning the race is self-discipline. For me, this is an area that I personally tend to struggle with within the context of following Christ. I go through seasons where I can be completely on fire for Him, and then in time that fire that I once had dwindles down through the storms of life. I have times where I can be in Church multiple times a week with hunger for the Word of God. Usually these seasons begin shortly after I attend a Christian concert, faith based conference, or engage in a meaningful life-changing conversation in bible study. I will be running in such a way to get the prize but then reality hits. The world won’t be on the same page that I am on; my friends won’t be in the same positions, neither is my Christian community. It becomes increasingly easy to be quickly dragged down and set back in old habits and ways of thinking.