Have you ever observed a runner training for a race? He runs with intention. His goal is to get to the end of that race as a winner. No athlete trains to lose or be defeated. That’s why Paul describes the Christian life as a race.
Our life of faith must be intentional. Everything we do for the kingdom is deliberate and on purpose. Jesus called us to be His ambassadors on this earth. We are called to carry His life, and light, and power. To live as He did: enforcing the enemy’s defeat as we push back the darkness and see people set free. When we begin to live deliberately, leaning into our relationship with Jesus, pressing into the truth of His Word, and practicing to hear and obey His voice more accurately – we become spiritually strong.
The Holy Spirit trains our senses to discern what is of God and what is not, keeping us in His perfect will for our lives. This way we won’t only finish our race, we’ll finish victoriously, obtaining the prize He has called us to enjoy.