The Endurance Plan

Recap

This is the final episode in our series on finishing well.

We've covered a lot over the last five weeks. From where we started - acknowledging that 75% of leaders in the Bible didn’t finish well - to the different factors - pride that disguises itself as religion, being out of rhythm, losing holy fear - then to Josiah who turned it all around, showing us it's not too late to change. And then last week we talked about finishing the smaller things along the way.

Today, I want to give you something practical to leave with as we all head towards the actual finish line of our own races. Some of us will be closer to that point than others. But we know that this isn’t really the end, for Jesus is victorious and for those who know and follow him, eternity has already begun.

So this final episode is about training. If you know me or have listened for a while, you’ll know I’m not one for using the word trying because it relies too much on my own willpower. I much prefer the word and approach of training. 

In the sense of running our races well, this training looks like caring for our whole selves - body, soul, and mind - so we have the endurance to make it to the end with integrity.

Paul’s Example

One of the best examples we have of someone who finished well and talked about how he did it is the Apostle Paul. And he didn’t have a great start, so that’s reassuring for those of us with layered pasts.

At the end of his life, he writes this in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV):

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

He finished well.

And earlier in his ministry, he explains his approach in getting there. Look at what he says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV):

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Notice the language, he’s talking about training. Turns out that this race is something we can train for, a lot like athletes train for an event.

Athletes don't just try to run fast, they train. They have disciplines, they care for their bodies, they practice and prepare.

And Paul says that's how we should approach our walk with God.

Training Over Trying

Richard Foster, in his book "The Celebration of Discipline," talks about this idea of training over trying.

Trying is about willpower. It's gritting your teeth and pushing through and giving something everything you’ve got. It’s characterised by the mindset of “I just need to try harder to do better”. But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we just don’t have what’s needed within us to do the thing.

This is where training comes in. Training works because we do today what we can do today, and that allows us to do greater things tomorrow. In fact, because of training, I’ll be able to do something in the future that I can’t yet do today. Like that elusive pullup I’m still going for!

But training isn’t just about directing our effort, it’s about positioning ourselves. When we train, we’re setting up rhythms and practices that put us in a place where God can transform us.

Trying relies on us. Training positions us to receive from God.

And that's the angle I want to take as we look at how to finish well. So it’s not about “trying harder to be good” it’s about "training ourselves to stay close to God." Being in a close relationship with God is a much more effective way to end well than just trying to be good.

As I always say, we can't transform ourselves, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. Our responsibility is simply to position ourselves to receive that transformation.

So let's talk about three areas we need to care for: our bodies, our souls, and our minds.

Caring For Our Bodies

Let's start with something we don't often talk about in spiritual conversations - our physical bodies.

If we want to finish well, we need to think about our physical endurance.

Now I know for some of us, our bodies have let us down for reasons we can’t understand. They just don’t work like they should because we live in a broken world and sometimes things just break. I want to acknowledge that.

When the topic turns to looking after ourselves physically it can feel like we’re already ten steps behind. We long for bodies that work like we want them to. I’m sorry if that’s where you find yourself at the moment. Know that God sees you, and has a purpose for you even if it feels like you’re limited by your body.

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians reminds us of this: 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

This is true whatever relationship you currently have with your physical body: it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, it has been bought for a price - not just you, your soul, your mind, but your body too - and we’re invited to use it to honour God. And that looks differently for each of us.

Speaking now to those of us who have relatively healthy bodies. How are you caring for your body? If God has decades of good works left for you to do, are you living in that way?

To Titus, Paul writes:

Titus 3:1 (NIV)

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good

How can we keep ourselves ready to do whatever is good? Let’s look at a few practical things. 

Get enough sleep. Sleep is usually the first thing to go when we need to find extra time in our days, but it’s stealing from the next day. One of the greatest habits we can prioritise is getting a good amount of sleep, because it pays us back in areas across our lives.

Eat in a way that fuels you, not just comforts you. Comfort isn’t bad, but when it comes at the expense of fuelling our bodies well, we pay the price of discomfort further down the line. 

And finally, move your body, even if it’s just a walk. This affects our minds too, moving our bodies has a profound impact on our mood, sleep, health and self-esteem. I think this is a lovely little bonus God built into the order he created within our bodies.

Looking after our bodies isn’t a vanity exercise, and our bodies aren’t bad - they’re temples of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to care for our bodies with God so we have the physical capacity to serve Him, so we’re ready for good works, whatever that looks like.

I know this feels basic but spiritual disciplines aren’t the only disciplines that matter. Caring for our bodies is an act of stewardship as we look to finish our races well. 

Caring For Our Souls

Now let's talk about our souls - our spiritual lives.

This is the bit we're more comfortable with, but I still want to be practical.

First, keep seeking holy fear.

Remember back in Episode 2 when we talked about Uzziah? He lost his holy fear and it led to his downfall.

Holy fear isn't being scared of God, it's being so aware of His holiness, His power, His majesty, that you would never want to be away from Him.

Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV) says:

My son, if you accept my words

    and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

    and applying your heart to understanding—

indeed, if you call out for insight

    and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

    and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

    and find the knowledge of God.

Search for it as if you were searching for hidden treasure, that means we get intentional about it and don’t just assume we already have it. Ask God for holy fear and he won’t turn you away.

Second, stay in rhythm with God.

Remember David in Episode 3? He was out of rhythm - at home in Jerusalem instead of out at war - and that's when he became vulnerable.

So what are your rhythms with God? 

Maybe it's a set time each day to pray, or a time in the week to rest or refuel with Him.

These aren't about ticking boxes, and it’s fine if you miss the rhythm sometimes, it’s the heart behind the action that says “Here I am, change me”.

Third, rediscover God's word.

Like Josiah in Episode 4, we can lose God's word - not physically, because most of us have access to it all the time now, but in our hearts.

When Josiah was told the word of the Lord had been lost and found again, he tore his robes. That’s how much it moved him as he realised he’d been missing out on God’s word.

Here's that prayer I mentioned before from Beth Moore that you might want to pray before you open your Bible: "Lord, would you give me a heart that loves you and that loves your word. Help me to know you as I read your Word now."

It’s super simple but it acknowledges that we need God's help even to be changed by His word.

Caring For Our Minds

Finally, let's talk about our minds - our thoughts, our patterns, and our need for accountability.

First, we need to continually lay aside the weights.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) says:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

We talked about tearing down idols with Josiah. It's the same principle here. Things that hinder us don't just fall away, we have to actively remove them.

So what's weighing you down? What sin keeps entangling you? Those things don’t just need to be managed, they need to be thrown off.

Second, invite accountability.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says:

As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

You can't finish well alone. You need people who know you, who can speak truth into you and who will call you out when you're drifting.

Some of us may need to ask for this kind of accountability, and that can be a bit intimidating, but find someone you trust, or pray that God would reveal a trustworthy person to you, and offer them the invitation: "I want to finish well, will you help me stay accountable?"

God Does The Transforming

Here’s the main thing to leave this series with: You can't transform yourself and you can't make yourself finish well through sheer willpower. But God can transform you, and you can position yourself to consistently receive from Him all that you need to finish well.

Jude 24-25 (NIV) says:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

This isn't about you being strong enough, it's about God being faithful.

Our job is to position ourselves to receive His transforming work. To train, not try, and to care for our bodies, souls, and minds in a way that keeps us close to Him.

Application

So let me ask you - where do you most need to focus right now?

Is it your body? Do you need to change the way you care for your physical health so you have endurance for the long haul?

Is it your soul? Do you need to get back in rhythm with God, ask for holy fear or rediscover His word?

Or is it your mind? Do you need to throw off a weight that's been hindering you, or invite someone into accountability?

You don't have to do all of it at once. Remember - this is training, not trying.

Pick one thing, consider how you’ll position yourself to receive from God (my examples are just examples, there are lots of things I haven’t covered), and trust that He will do the transforming work.

Question

And so that’s the question as we finish this series: which area of transformation are you being invited into, and how will you respond?

Prayer

Lord, thank you that we don't do this alone, you’re the one who keeps us and transforms us and stays faithful even when we’re unfaithful. As we consider how to care for our bodies, souls and minds, would you highlight what we need to know, give us the courage to face areas of uncertainty or discomfort, and empower us by your Spirit to run our races well to the end. In your precious name Jesus amen.