Sprint or Marathon

When I was in high school, I was involved in two athletic teams. I was on the cross country and the track teams. At the time I was in cross-country, it was a two-mile race, not the current 5k. (That was instituted my senior year, the only year I did not run cross-country). When it came time for track, I was not a distance runner; I was a sprinter. The farthest I had to run was 400 meters.
There are major differences between the two, aside from the distance that is run. Sprinters work on quick bursts of speed. Their goal is generally under 400 meters and the quicker they can reach it, the better. Sprinters work on getting finished as quickly as possible.
Distance runners work on stamina and endurance. While speed is important, knowing how to pace your speed is just as important. A marathon runner does not sprint at full speed from the start. If they do, by a half mile, they would be exhausted and unable to complete the race.
Much like athletes, Christians are in a race; a race with a purpose, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB) The question becomes are Christians in a marathon or a sprint. The answer is both.
Jesse Owens summed up the commitment a sprinter has when he said, “Sprinting is a lifetime of training for just ten seconds.” The same can be said for a Christian. It is a lifetime of training for just ten seconds. Christians must always be prepared to give an answer when asked, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV) In order to be prepared for a short burst, a Christian needs to have some careful training.
It is not always about a quick answer to a question. It is also about a lifelong commitment. It’s not just a sprint, it is a marathon. Just as a Christian does not want to burst out in a sprint; they need to pace their life. There will always be times when they need to be called into service, if they are exhausted, they may not be able to perform. As with anything in life, a Christian must pace themselves.
Above all, a Christian must always be training. A Christian must spend time in study in order to be prepared, “Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV)
Train for the sprint and train for the marathon. In the end, a Christian will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV)

New Beginning

With the coming of a new year, most people make a promise to better themselves (resolutions). One study showed after the first week 25% of the people have failed at their resolution. After one month 36% of the people fail. After 6 months more than 50% of the people have failed at their resolution.  Why is that? Is it that they set unreasonable goals (I will lose 2350 lbs), have unrealistic expectations (I will save a gabazillion dollars), or have a certain weakness (I will limit my Pepsi consumption to only 20 cans a day).
Not to brag, but I would throw off all those studies. When I have made a resolution, I have managed to keep it, not just for that year, but also for a long time after. This year’s resolution that I will make: I will not buy a hunk of cheese, sit down, and eat it. As I am trying not to break my arm patting myself on the back, I have not bought a hunk a cheese, or any type of cheese, and sat down unwrapped it and ate it. Now, those who do not know me, I cannot eat cheese, therefore, I will keep this resolution. I set resolutions I know I do not do so I will not fail.
Why do people tend to fail? For me the answer is simple, they do it without Jesus. We try to make ourselves better without the one who can make us better- Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our savior we become a new creation. The old person is dead, the new is alive. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:16,17 (NIV)
What makes being a new creation possible?  It starts with forgiveness.  Our Father in heaven has a poor memory.  When your sins are forgiven, they are forgotten.  “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12 NIV).   When your sins are forgiven, you are now a new person; your past is no more. He no longer holds you accountable for your sins.
The beauty of a new year is that we are no longer looking back at the past, but we are looking forward to the future.  The same can be said of all people that come to a relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.  Instead of looking to past and claiming that God will never use you because of it, look to the future at how God will use you because of Him.  The Bible is full of people that have committed grievous sins against God and yet, when they turned to Him, they were used to promote His love for all mankind.
There is a saying, “When Satan tries to remind you of your past, you remind him of his future.” There will be times when people will tell you that you are no good, that your past is not worthy of doing the work that God has called you to do. Yet, God is not as worried about your past as He is your future. When God calls you to do something, don't worry about what other people will think, concern yourself with what God wants done. When God moves, especially in your life, don't let anyone stand in the way. As Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin about Peter and John, “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:39 NIV) Do what God has called you to do.
As we turn the calendar to a new year, let us turn our hearts towards Him.  Forget your past and look to the hope that has been given to you through Jesus. Start a new beginning for Him.