This could serve as a lesson for our Christian walk. When we are constantly returning to earthly things, and then working to try and get back into the rhythm of our daily walk in the Spirit, it can become exhausting - it burns more energy. Conversely, the more we abide in Christ, the smoother the rhythm becomes (the less energy wasted), and the less likely we will be to fall back into the worldly churn that so quickly and painfully pulls us down.
Good so far – but how exactly do we get to this ‘smooth rhythm’ of abiding in Christ? Well, pretty much the same way you get to where you can run 6 miles in one hour – practice!
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
You see, in the same way that if you really want to run a marathon, you must make a conscious effort to work at it – run every day, adding distance each week to your run; giving up habits that will prevent you from being fit to run a marathon; spending your money on running shoes and other things that will help you achieve your dream - we must make a conscious effort to achieve our goal of abiding in Christ - spend time with Christ; read His word instead of turning on TV reruns; talk to Him about your day and your wants and your troubles; remind yourself to pray to Him in the morning/noon/night. Really think about what He would have you do, and then go do it until it becomes the habit and you don't have to expend energy thinking about it anymore.
When it comes down to it, your priorities drive your actions. In other words, your thoughts/time/money are focused on the things that are most important to you. If running a marathon was your number 1 goal, you would change your day-to-day routine to make it happen. If chasing God is your number 1 goal, you would do the same. While a marathon is great, only one goal has eternal benefits, and that is where our focus should be!
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
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