DO WE REALLY FOLLOW GOD (or do we just go through the motions)?

This question came to my mind after reading God’s Word, and truthfully, my desire was to place it on the shelf, to look at it for a few days (like 868 days or more), and to not really walk toward the answer it required.

• Toy with it.
• Play with it.
• Ask it, but don’t really apply it.
• Voice it but allow others to answer it while I turned a blind eye (to it).

Late summer marks the season of conditioning, and as the start of school draws near, it brings with it a bittersweet memory:  Cross Country & the Conditioning of an Athlete’s Body.  As a former coach of the sport, each time the season rolls around on the calendar, I sense both an excitement deep inside me as well as a deep sadness because I am not coaching any longer.  Nonetheless, it is the photos of the athletes’ early-morning runs through the damp dew that cause my mind to turn toward the ways we condition our bodies to win the race.

• We run together.
• We run individually & as a team.
• We run growing stronger with each mile covered.
• We run to condition the body, not to punish it.
• We run to pursue the prize.

Thus the question coming to my mind:  DO WE REALLY FOLLOW GOD (or do we just go through the motions)?

Life can be like a race.  That’s what the apostle Paul compares life to in his epistle to the early believers living at Corinth.  As such,

1. We can either participate in a “fun run” of short distances, of sprints, where our whole purpose is to enjoy the life this world has to offer.

OR

• We can participate in a “marathon run” one of laboriously, often-taxing, long miles, where our whole purpose is to endure to the prize, digging deep within, trusting in the training of our “life-coach,” holding onto & applying the TRUTH!

Then Paul provides several historical examples of God’s people.

1. They were led by God’s light:  the cloud by day & the fire by night.
2. They passed through the Red Sea on dry ground.
3. They ate the manna God provided from Heaven.
4. They drank the water God provided from the rock to quench their thirst.

The way to “grow” in Christian faith is to be consistent.  That means EVERYTHING must be dedicated, disciplined, and focused upon “winning the prize of Christ,” not that we earn it through our good actions but that we “faithfully run close beside our LORD.”

• Consistency is Movement.
• Consistency with Christ is Movement.
• Consistency, allowing the Holy Spirit to Guide Our Every Step is Movement.
• Consistency—toward the prize!

With fierce determination, we oftentimes try to “go it” alone, despite Jesus being by our side and willing to help, despite Jesus there beside us ready to lead the way.

• It is difficult to admit, but our BIGGEST DISTRACTION to our consistency in faith is ourselves!
• It is easy to understand how CONSISTENCY WITH GOD IS ESSENTIAL!

As we run our marathon,

• We must FOCUS EVERYTHING UPON HONORING GOD!

As we run our life-race,

• We must CONSISTENTLY KEEP MOVING TOWARD THE ONE WHO IS ENOUGH—JESUS!

What does God require of His children?

• God made us, created us, & not the other way around!
• God expects & commands that we “live out” our faith publicly!
• God wants others to see JESUS in us!

A melody played into my earbuds early, lyrics that caught my attention.  Hopefully you too will find your earbuds and take time to listen.  Let us say:  “This is my SURRENDER, GOD—Do Whatever YOU Want to Do!”