Sprint or Endurance?
1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
“Gird up the loins of your mind” is not a typical phrase you hear today and could apply just about anything in your life that takes your focus off Christ. We all have the battles of worldly desires that fight for the focus of our mind. I think about __________ the most. What occupies your mind that fills in that blank? I would need to make a list, but I am trying to dwindle that list down through the power of Christ in my life. It is a constant battle and without a consistent pursuit of Him, the list will never shrink. The daily time in prayer and the Word chip away at my list. Matthew 6:33 “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God…”
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. The analogy of our lives is almost put here as and endurance race has much implication. Life is not a sprint, where you go as fast as you can to reach the goal; but an endurance run where you prepare and pace yourself setting your eyes farther out for the longer run. It requires a different strategy, and endurance requires longer focus. As in Hebrews, the “weight of sin” can make the longer race difficult. We must shed that weight to finish the race strong.
The battles of sin will always be there, many only in the mind. The strength to fight these battles is only found in prayer and the Word. You cannot defeat them alone although pride will try to convince you otherwise. Spend time daily with God and seek to lighten your load through His power to allow you to focus on Him and finish the race strong.
oneminuteministry 