Discipline

Discipline….When you hear the word discipline, what comes to mind? Do your immediate thoughts go to the military, to school, to your parents? That is what comes to mind for me as well. Discipline is a way of life for many. As a runner, and soon to be triathlete, I found out right away that building endurance requires discipline. I think it is safe to say that most of us just cannot go out and run a marathon, ultra-marathon or an ironman triathlon with no training. Each one of those events is an endurance challenge that takes a tremendous amount of discipline.

As we see in the beginning Hebrews 12, we have the call to endurance in verses 1-2.

1 Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

As athletes, we endure a lot of pain and suffering in our training and our races. None of it can compare to the pain and suffering Jesus endured for each and every one of us. Jesus paid the ultimate price for each of us that we may live and glorify God by making disciples of all nations.

This is why I endure the hard work to reach the finish line….to serve Him. Hebrews 12-11-13 says.

11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.

I don't know of any race where you will not find spectators. These are family members and friends who are not only cheering on loved ones, but also providing encouragement to other athletes. I can tell you, that means so much to have the support from people I will probably never see again. In return, running for Jesus with Team 413, I am yielding fruit before the spectators as they see God's word proclaimed, in the hopes that they will be trained by it as we read in Hebrews 12:11.

The kind of disciple it takes to train for endurance challenges is the same kind of discipline it takes in our spiritual challenges. Therefore, be disciplined . . . to lay aside the sin that weighs you down, and to run with endurance the race God sets before you . . . all for His glory!