This Calls For Effort

Effort is important. Vital.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Although our salvation is not earned, just like other things that are vital, our relationship with God and the walking out of the great commission and being a disciple of Christ- requires effort. Grace is freely given, yes, but does it not take effort to be disciplined? Does is just come over night or with a nice little prayer and bowing of the head? Yes, the prayer helps, but I am convinced effort must be put forth in order to progress in any relationship. You must care enough to try, to give, to listen, to obey, to move forward, to move at all... to walk this salvation out...to put deeds with faith. We must train! 

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Another version says, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training." Training. What kind of training are we talking about here? What kind of training does a life unto Jesus Christ call for?

It is vital to learn from those who have gone before us. We do have this "great cloud of witnesses"... these "heroes of the faith..."

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

As I read through Hebrews 11, it's quickly made clear that those who walk in faith, do not lean on what is seen, but what is unseen. They trusted God and believe Him when He spoke.

Do I?

Father, increase my faith! I want to follow your lead. I want to pray prayers of faith and walk steps in faith, and see you before I see problems or obstacles. I want to fixate these eyes on truth, consume truth, and walk by truth. I want to be found living in the light, living life, and giving life, and speaking life, and praying life into that which is dark and dead and fading. God, I draw near to you tonight with these requests... THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE! Thank you for the many testimonies and answered prayers that were prayed in faith. Thank you for the rewards and blessings that come in faith. Do not let me shy away from faith because of the difficulties and uncertainties I've experienced. I do not want to be held back. I want to train, I want to move in purpose, I want to run! (to you.) 

I've decided this week's blog posts will be dedicated to remembering what the Lord has done because sometimes you pull out the old "before and after" shots to get yourself back into the gym to train, and just like that, sometimes you must pull out the testimonies of God and remember how to believe and trust again!

Here we go, it's time!

Grace