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The race is set. All runners are at the starting line. Every muscle strained in readiness to burst forth to the finish line. Unknown to most spectators are the hours of rigorous self-imposed discipline by the athletes from diet to training programme, enduring pain and rejecting the instinct to give up the punishing regimen of exercise. The muscles must be strained, the joints strengthened and the excess body fat shed off. All in preparation for running the race to the finish line.
Hebrews 12 likens our Christian life to that of a running the race. The finish line is Christ-likeness in character and service. God uses different ways to help us grow in Christ-likeness. But we can be certain of one thing – there will be growing pains and aches that come with intense training. Spiritual growth often comes when we face criticism, health problems or financial difficulties. If we allow these challenges to fill our thoughts with anxiety or resentment, we slip into allowing sin to easily hinder and entangle us in the race (Heb. 12:1-2). It clouds our joy in our relationship with God. It distracts us from exercising our faith. Nothing trips us up in our spiritual growth more than falling back to the old nature.
When we experience painful stretching in our growth, we frantically call on prayer partners and church prayer groups to pray that the latest difficulty in our life be immediately removed! Could it be that these are actually circumstances God allows in order to mature us? God works through situations to mould and change us but only when we trust in His leading and turn to Him for wisdom and greater faith (Heb. 12:5-11). We are reminded that Jesus “although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). So it is when we experience what may seem to be an extended period of attacks, unfair criticism, prolonged ill-health or financial insecurity – God stretches us. Jesus “himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Heb. 2:16). Be willing to open up to trust God for He has placed us in the spiritual stretching process. He will mould and empower us to be of greater service to Him. We will then be ready for Him to meet the needs of others. God uses countless ways to grow us. We need to be willing to break our comfort and seek Christ-likeness.
