When it comes to running marathons or becoming a spiritual champion the need is not to try harder but to train wisely. How many times have you heard a sermon or listened to a Bible Study or read a book about following Jesus and said to yourself: "I've got to try harder to be a better Christian"? That's like me saying, "I'm going to try really hard to compete in a triathlon." It won't happen by an act of my will. I would only be able compete in a triathlon by training for a triathlon.

We arrange our life around certain disciplines that help us gain power and strength to become more like Jesus each day, to live a life as Jesus taught and modeled. The activities of prayer, Bible Study, worship, service, evangelism, stewardship are among the needed the disciplines for running the spiritual race.
It all comes down to one question: Will you engage in the training so that you will have the endurance to run the race? Will you get off the sofa and get in the race?

The same question is appropriate for the spiritual race: Will you engage in the training so that you will have the endurance to run the race?