This past week the schools began football practice. They will practice twice each day for a couple of weeks to get into shape for the coming football season. They will run, exercise, run, drill and run some more. The muscles they haven’t been using will be screaming for relief. It will take a while to get into the shape they desire for the season. A team who takes this serious and puts out much effort will be able to play all four quarters. The ones that don’t take it serious will run out of steam before the game is over.

Our Christian life has been compared to a race. Paul spoke to the Corinthians and said, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as you may win." (1 Cor. 9:24) NASB. Running in a race demands practice. It demands a person give themselves to the activity on a dedicated level. The ones who practice the hardest will be the ones who excel. The ones who just put in a small amount of effort will constantly lose.

There are things that we do as Christians to make sure we do well to succeed. We’ve mentioned these before, but let’s do so again. Pray. Let God know all of your hearts desires. Ask Him for strength to run the race. Thank Him for His immeasurable blessings. Intercede on behalf of others who need help in running the race.

Read and study the Bible. Since God’s Word is the way He communicates with us, it is important to know what He desires. By reading the Word, I can know about God, about His plan to save mankind, and what I need to do daily to keep close to Him. Reading and doing (Js. 1:22). His word will help me as I run the race.

Worship. It is important to worship God each week with the church. See Hebrews 10:24.25 to know that God desires we assemble together. As we do we pray, sing, commune at His table, give as He has prospered us and hear a message from His Word, we are becoming stronger. The early church had developed a habit of forsaking the assembly. This could not help their running the race.

As important as two-a-days are to a football program, every day with God is even more important. Are you running the race or have you given up? Come on, you can do it!