Slow & Steady Wins the Race

Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare? The hare, a much faster and somewhat cocky character, is challenged to a race by the tortoise. In the end, the winner is the tortoise. Though the hare was much faster and had the tools one would think necessary to win, he neglected to keep focused on what he was doing, he started out in a blaze of glory and ended with nothing but a puff of smoke.

There are just too many people who's walk with God is little more than a flash in the pan. You see, we really are in a race:

I Corinthians 9:24-25 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

The race for the souls of men is not a sprint, but a marathon, it's a long distance test of endurance and stamina. The real kicker is that only the finish counts. We can all obtain a crown for our race, but we must finish. Jesus said that only those who endure to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13).

There are a lot of shooting stars starting out in God's kingdom, but shooting stars, though they're flashy and awe-inspiring, are generally inconsistent, unstable, short-term. In fact, they're really just falling stars, spinning out of control until they burn up or crash.

There are a lot of cheetahs starting out in God's kingdom, but cheetahs, though they're sleek and fast, generally have a tough time adapting to new environments, are only able to handle short bursts of speed, and often need to rest. Typically, they'll give up on a chase if they don't catch the prey in about a minute or so.

Nobody starts out in God intending to be a shooting star or cheetah. No one says, "I think I'll start gloriously and then fizzle out after about a month or a year." Yet, many people do just that. Let me encourage anyone and everyone to push for endurance and stamina. We need to plug in and have a slow and steady walk with God. We need to "run with patience" (Heb 12:1) this great race for the salvation of our souls.

Let's get a hold on God like never before. Let's develop some tenacity and get a little never-give-up in our spirits. A good start won't suffice; we must finish strong. According to Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith!!!