Since my cross country days in high school I have periodically “started
back” running. Inevitably, I would get burned out, have some injury or
otherwise have my routine interrupted. It would take years to talk myself
into getting back on track (literally).

When I began running again last summer my doctor recommended I try a
heart rate monitor. He explained by training at 75-85% of your maximum
heart rate the body actually builds greater endurance since it burns fat for
energy. My heart rate, not my watch, would determine my pace. Often, less
effort means greater benefit.

My first day out with the monitor was a pleasant surprise. Instead of
focusing on “pushing” myself I was aware of the sun shining through the
trees and how much I liked being outdoors. Not only was I investing in long
term good health but the process itself became fun. Once I got over the
miracle of this strap around my chest sending messages about my heart’s
activity to the watch on my wrist, I began to see spiritual parallels.
The Christian life is a lot like running. Training too hard causes
burnout or injuries. Growing at the right pace is healthy and gives the
best results. Believers can become impatient with their spiritual progress.
It may seem everyone else is in spiritually great shape while I struggle to
get past the first mile marker. Recurring sins weigh us down with guilt.

Like high intensity triathletes, some of us may feel we aren’t spiritual
if we’re not overloaded with “church” activities--nursery duty, small group
host, teaching classes, visitation. We risk spiritual exhaustion.

In an athletic allusion, the Apostle Paul simplifies our racing
strategy: “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

The early Olympiads spurred their exertions by keeping their eyes on a
square pillar that marked the finish line. Paul described the object of our
finish line later in Phil. 3. We look to “the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by
the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Jesus did not intend the spiritual race to drag us down. He came to
free us from our burdens and bring us joy. Like the heart rate monitor
Jesus allows us to pace ourselves. He’s not standing with stop watch in
hand to see if we qualify. He doesn’t demand an all out sprint. He’s
looking for endurance, a constant pace. He’s promised we will win the race
if we keep our eyes on him. God called us into the race and he has plans
for us. As Paul said, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Paul’s statement, “Only let us live up to what we have already
attained,” is one key to proper training (Phil. 3:16). Jesus is like our
own personal trainer. He accepts us where we are and doesn’t measure us by
others. He increases our load and challenges us as we need it. If we try
to push too hard, we deplete our energies and are left spent or injured. It
is only as we walk (or jog) close to him, listen to his guidance and depend
on him for the next stride’s strength that our spiritual health will
improve.

Running out and buying a new heart rate monitor, however, won’t
guarantee better health. The best tools are wasted if they aren’t used.
God’s Word, prayer, relationships with believers and spiritual leaders are
just a few instruments God provides for spiritual training. Not making use
of them allows our spiritual muscles to weaken.

Christ lifts our burdens of guilt and despair, but he doesn’t call us
to be spiritual couch potatoes. Running, whether physical or spiritual,
requires effort and discipline. Yet, with the right focus, the right tools
and the right Trainer patiently guiding us our race toward home will be
joyful and rewarding.