I became interested in running a few years ago during oncology rehab when the staff encouraged me to run to increase my fitness level. I took up the challenge and was thrilled when I actually finished my first 5K. It was with a friend and on a most scenic route through the fields and along a lakeshore.
A famous sport specialist Andrew Renfree has said that training for races yields the best results when done in a favorable enviornment when you enjoy the location, the people you train with, and the coach under whom you train.
This reminds me of St. Paul in the Bible decribing his life as running a race (2 Timothy 4:7) to capture the prize (Philippians 3:14). If I am to imitate St. Paul who gave his all for Jesus, I too am in a spiritual race. My favorable environment is the church, I train with my friends with whom I share faith, and my coach is the Holy Spirit who directs my ways.
Specifically, "the church" is my local parish where I hear the Word of God and receive the Sacraments. If I neglect attending, if I neglect or avoid my Christain friends, if I fail to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's inspirations, my fitness for living a Christ-centered life diminishes. I become spiritually weak.
To be faithful is not only a challenge, but also involves sacrifice. It's a sacrifice of time and other attractive distractions. To fulfill one's purpose in life, to do so in a most effective way, takes perseverance. It often means pushing oneself beyond one's comfort level, as a dedicated athlete would do to increase strength and endurance levels.
My desire and my prayer is to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14.
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