"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself." 1 Cor 9:24-27 (Message)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.

But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]." 1 Cor 9:24-27 (AMP)

Lord, how do I discipline my body and "handle it roughly," while still respecting it as the vessel You created especially for me? Do I listen closely to my body's signals to eat, drink, sleep, rest, move, etc, or do I beat it into submission? Or are the 2 mutually exclusive? I believe You have been leading me to consider more formally practicing the disciplines and how they can be practically, but boldly and resolutely implemented into my daily life. I have lots of "fears" about this possibility. I know all of them are lies the enemy wants me to believe over Your Word, but I do need to bring them out into Your light so that we can examine them for what they are instead of having some nebulous fear running just under the surface.

1. I don't want discipline to supersede grace
2. I don't want to become proud of what I'm doing
3. I'm afraid that if I become dependant on and/or proud of my actions, it will negate the benefits of practicing them at all.
4. I'm sure that I can't find perfect balance ALL the time, so this will be yet another plate to keep spinning.
5. I don't trust that God will be the One balancing them for me.
6. I'm afraid that if I set myself into a rigid schedule that I will find myself resentful of the structure
7. I'm afraid that if I set myself into a rigid schedule that I will be unable or unwilling or unprepared to step outside that schedule to actually FOLLOW CHRIST.
8. I don't want to be bogged down with guilt over not being perfect, or not doing enough.
9. I don't want to start trusting in my disciplines rather than God for results.
10. I want the "easy" way out!!!
11. I'm not used to this - I've never been physically in shape and never really had to work hard enough to feel REAL physical strain.
12. Is it worth it?
13. Can I do it?
14. Does God REALLY want me to do it?

lol. I know, Lord. I agree these are all silly excuses. I would not have them if I believed what You said and did. I love the illustration given in this book. A kid who wants to be just like his favorite star athlete will do all the famous "moves" of his during their play of the game. They will never become a star athlete themselves through this practice because their favorite star also did not become a star from just doing his moves during game time. He dedicated himself to a overall lifestyle of strict training, including diet, exercise, abstaining from certain things and engaging in others... All these disciplines undertaken in his daily life enabled his body to be ready to perform amazing moves during the game. This basic principle works for anyone desiring to learn a new language, play an instrument, or jog. The endeavor of following Christ is at least as important as one of those. Yet we put not NEARLY as much energy and purposed planning into being a disciple as one of those "hobbies". This should not be! Lord, I am so guilty. Continue to guide and convict me as I revisit this important subject. I want my entire life to glorify You - not just occasional "game time" highlights. I love You, God. Thank You so much for investing Yourself into me, conforming me to Your son's likeness, nurturing me in Your love, bathing me in Your Truth. Fill me today with Your Spirit so that I might overflow into the lives of those I touch.