“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
Those are compelling and challenging words to say to someone. Compelling, because it implies that you have the potential to impact others to pursue spiritual growth. Challenging, because it puts you in a position of personal accountability for your own spiritual development as a model for others to emulate.
Being a disciple of Jesus is a full-time thing. There is never a moment when you are off the clock, so to speak. You will always be influencing people around you that look to you as a role model. Sometimes you know who they are because of your close relationships with them. Many times, however, you don’t realize that others are watching you at a distance for clues about making wise and beneficial life choices.
Our sermon series is about you and me committing ourselves to being intentional spiritual pacesetters. As we mature in our faith in Christ and kingdom service, we always remember that we have daily opportunities to show others how to do what we do so that they will be inspired to do the same.
If you are engaging with the messages each week on Sunday morning, Wednesday evening at CP1 and/or online, you realize the genius of the Scriptures that compare our daily discipleship in Christ to running a long-distance race. There are so many clear and understandable analogies that we can apply to our commitment to following and serving Jesus successfully over the course of our life-times. In doing so, we will also be helping others to run along with us by our example, teaching and encouragement.
Pastor Tracy spoke about the importance of focusing on Jesus always as you run your spiritual race. Bjorn talked about the benefit of allowing hardships to mature you to run more effectively and efficiently. This Sunday I will discuss the value of developing resilience to persevere to the end of the race.
Run Hard for the Finish Line – Take the long view of your life and give it everything you’ve got to finish your spiritual race strong. Over the next few days, read what Apostle Paul commends us to do and how he does it himself. What does it mean to run in such a way as to get the prize? What is the prize and who can win it? What is Paul’s concern and how does he ensure that he will go the complete distance? What things are you doing to build up your spiritual resilience so that you will persevere to the end?
I look forward to meeting with you Sunday to encourage and further equip you to develop daily as a spiritual pacesetter.
Pastor Del