How is your race? Who is your cheerleader? Those are two important questions that help me. Those who know me know I try to run, walk, almost crawl to stay active, or like a shirt said one time “I run because I like to eat!” Anyway, I am not a runner but I have been involved in races, have run with groups (or at least started off with them), and even have run/walked a half marathon. I start out strong and then my miles decrease. The weather got bad and a lot more excuses that I could give come up, but they are excuses. It is very wrong to think that because I have done something before it will be easy, training on a regular basis is required and essential! It reminds me of relationships and spiritual life, you have to work at it. I have seen people close to us become distant not because of anything bad but because busyness gets in the way and we don’t stay in touch and then there is not much of a relationship. Very true with our relationship with God, knowing his word, and letting the Holy Spirit guide you. For that to happen you need to be training spiritually daily. Let God walk with you. How close you were to God in the past or whatever good deeds you may have done in the past as good as it may be, you need to continually work on your relationship with God. Have daily interactions so that you do not over-struggle when the storms of life come. As someone told me in a Bible study yesterday God will not take away trials and temptation as mentioned in James but he will give us the strength to overcome them if we choose. He always gives us a choice and the choice is easier when we walk with God every day. Just like any other relationship if you don’t talk or stay in touch then the relationship is not as strong or even fades away. I once heard and agree that busyness is a tool of the devil used to destroy friendships, relationships with people, and even our relationship with God. Never be too busy to stay in touch. Take time for your relationships with others and most importantly with God! Please let me know how I can encourage you. We at Barnabas Vision want to cheer you on in your race!
– David Coggin