Paul said that in the face of great personal trials. He had gone beyond himself many times, running on faith – Spirit power, and not his own determination and wisdom. When I was in the Army, we would do a lot of physical exercise as a unit. I can remember with one particular unit in the Aviation Squadron of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in El Paso, Texas, I had a squadron commander that trained us for war. Not just physically, but mentally. We had a saying “you fight the way you train”. Well, in one case he used our physical training to help us with mental toughness. We were used to running a particular route. Early in the morning – 5:30 early – we call it O-dark thirty. We knew the land marks for our 3 to 4 mile run. We knew when we were half way and we knew when we were at the finish. By then, we were ready to hear “Quick time – march”, which means – stop running and walk in civilian vernacular. Well, one day we got to the “finish line”, but we kept running. We were always exhausted by the time we got to that point, but he kept running. You are already thinking I can’t go on, and I am thrilled we are at the finish line – but the squadron commander kept us running right past the point where we could not go on! We ran for another half mile or so. What was the lesson? We can do more than we think we can. War is very demanding on the body and the mind. You
“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.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Not falling out of the run requires discipline and faith. In our runs in the Army, there were always people who would fall out, who could not go on, who lost heart and confidence. They fell by the wayside. The same way with our faith. I am not talking about loss of salvation. The people I mentioned were still in the Army, they needed more physical training so they could serve in the manner that was expected of them. And so it is with us as Christians. There are many who don’t have the faith to keep up with where God wants to take them. They need more training .. more confidence .. more encouragement.
I remember taking a PT test in the Armor Officer Basic Course. That test is something you must pass. Well, a friend of mine stopped running during the two mile run. He had a look of pain and exhaustion on his face. I stopped too so I could encourage him to finish. The evaluators called out to me and told me to keep going and leave him behind. I could not and would not. He finished .. passed, barely. But he passed. So did I, but helping him cost me something.
“No greater love has one man than this, to lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
I am not bragging, I am making a point. We are supposed to encourage one another to love and good works.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Some need more encouragement than others . .who do you know that needs to be encouraged in their faith .. to continue to run and not fall out .. even when they think they can’t go on? Perhaps you are the one God leads to encourage them to stay in the run. But know this .... helping them will cost you something. You must be willing to pay the price and through your service and sacrifice bring glory to God.
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