Plan your walk like you plan your run

Every time I set out running, I have a plan.  I know where I am going to run, the distance, the pace, and even the type of workout.  Why is it that we enter the Christian life with no plan?  Mature believers are sometimes the worst at it.  How many season marathoners would simply head out day after day with no plan?  Not the ones that will compete, that’s for sure.

This morning, for my time with God, not knowing what I was going to do, I simply did a quick search of “run” on my iPhone’s YouVersion app.  Over the next few minutes I found God speaking to me in various ways through the random verses.  In fact, the very verse God laid on my heart convicted me of what I just did!  Paul was using the example of training, of athletic completion, as a metaphor for pursuing after God.  Without discipline and focus, there is no victory.  If we truly want to experience all that God has for us, we must plan our walk with Him with the same focus and intentionality we have in planning our workouts for the week.

“Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.  Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”  (1 Cor. 9:26-27)

So how intentional are you in your walk with God?  Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do you have a reading plan for getting into God’s word?
• Do you have a journaling plan for getting God’s Word into you?
• Are you actively involved in a small group where God’s word is opened regularly?
• Is your prayer life one that consists of variety, depth, sincerity, passion?
• Is your time with God meaningful?

You will never cross the finish line without discipline and self-control.

OK, Kevin.  Enough of the toe bashing.  You’ve got my attention!  Now what?

Next post will have basic steps and creative ideas that will strengthen and bring depth to your relationship with God.

My First Blog

I’ve always wondered why people blogged until I started reading a few of my friend’s blogs and found that I appreciated what they said and I found myself returning to their sites on a regular basis. Do I read all of them? No, but still it was a quick and easy way to see into their lives and continue to build a relationship with them. With that, my desire was to share a bit of what is going on in my life, not to be egotistic, but rather to help inspire others. It was just a few weeks ago that God laid it on my heart to share insights through one of my hobbies…running.