Tonight, I want to talk about running. Because this race that we are in is a marathon, not a sprint. It isn’t easy either. But it IS worth it. And we CAN do it. We just have to build up the stamina it takes to keep going. 

STAMINA is simply: STAYING POWER

Stamina is the ability to sustain. Stamina is the strength it takes. Spoiler: it isn’t OUR strength that will achieve this. Stamina implies there is a considerable length to achieve the goal. Stamina is the staying power it will take to keep going when it feels like we are so over-encumbered that we can’t take another step.

We’ve got quite a number of gamers; you all know what it’s like in a game when your character becomes over-encumbered or you have low stamina and strength. You move slowly, you can’t run at all – you can’t even walk fast. You can’t utilize fast travel unless you drop some items. Hello? You cannot run the race when you have too much you are carrying. You have to lay it down to finish.

Let’s take a look at a few of the references of running the race:

2 Timothy 4:7   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

** A closer look at 2 Timothy 4:7 **

Isaiah 40:31  But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 12:1-2 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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Galatians 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Psalm 119:32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

** A closer look at Psalm 119:32 **

Now, don’t get it twisted – I’m speaking of running a race in the spiritual sense. Not the physical. It just so I happens that I agree with Proverbs 28 which says “The wicked flee when no one pursues.” But seriously, let’s talk about running. What exactly happens when we run? I mean, besides getting winded and sweaty. Quite a bit.

Let’s start with the immediate physical responses.

Cardiovascular system: Your heart rate and blood pressure increase to pump blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your working muscles.

Respiratory system: Your breathing rate increases to bring in more oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

Muscular system: Your leg muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, calves), along with your glutes and core, are activated and begin to work.

Energy production: Muscles use glucose and oxygen to produce the energy currency ATP; adenosine triphosphate.

Thermoregulation: Your body temperature rises, and you begin to sweat to cool down.

With regular running, your heart becomes stronger and more efficient, pumping more blood per beat, which lowers your resting heart rate and improves oxygen intake.

Increased muscle and bone strength: Consistent running strengthens your leg muscles and improves bone density.

Improved metabolic health: Running can lower blood sugar and blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

Cognitive benefits: Increased blood flow to the brain can lead to better executive function and may stimulate the production of new brain cells.

Mood and stress reduction: The release of endorphins can lead to a mood boost, and the act of running can be a stress reliever.

The same goes for our spiritual bodies when we are running the race of faith. And just like any race there will be times when we feel like we are running up hill in the sand and people are throwing more sand in our faces.

Or we might feel like slowing from a run to a jog or from a jog to a brisk walk. We could also consider stopping altogether, or worse, backsliding. Giving up. Quitting the race entirely. I pray that no one ever here does but if you do, or you know someone who has – always remember:

But if you’re trying to persevere and not have to make that return trip there are some things you’ve got to do. First of all, as already mentioned, you’ve got to lay those burdens down at the foot of the cross. Jesus died to carry the weight of those sins that we try and secretly carry on our own. Let Him handle the load. When you do you can begin to fast travel again. You are able to sprint – to run and not grow weary as we read in Isaiah.

You also have to be nourished and hydrated right? How many have watched a marathon either live or on TV? As the runners are on their circuit they get to check point areas where there are passers by handing them water so they can take a quick drink and keep going. The Lord has already handled THAT for us as well.

John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:37  “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

So He gives us the living water, He carries the burdens, but He also gives us the strength we need to keep going…

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Psalm 27:1  The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Nehemiah 8:10  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Exodus 15:2  The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Ephesians 6:10 “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Corinthians 12:9  “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

We talked about Spiritual Dehydration a couple months ago. The body reacts in multiple ways to dehydration. Running generates body heat, and sweating is the primary way your body cools down. Sweat is made of water and electrolytes, so as you sweat, you lose fluids. If you don’t replace the lost fluids, your blood becomes thicker and your body has less fluid to circulate. This makes it harder for your body to regulate temperature, deliver oxygen, and perform all other functions, which is why you feel the negative effects.

This is no different for us the farther and longer we go without giving the Lord the time He deserves. When we do not make time to pray, to worship, and to be in His presence. We can drink freely of that Living Water when we go back to His never ending well – but when we don’t slow down from our day to day worldly lives, we deprive ourselves of that Living Water and we get spiritually dehydrated.

When I began this evening, I mentioned that the strength to finish the race doesn’t come from us. It comes from Him. We get that strength by communing with Him in prayer and worship and being in His presence just as we receive the Living Water. This is how we train our flesh to do the will of the Father and to obey what the Holy Spirit speaks.  When it comes to running the race, stamina comes from training and preparation.

It takes most people 16-20 weeks to train for a marathon, but this can vary from 3 months to a year depending on current fitness levels and goals. Beginners typically need more time, around 5-6 months, to build a strong base safely, while experienced runners with a solid foundation may need a shorter 3-4 month training period.

Our training as a Christian never ends until we finish our race. This is why we have those steady trials and tests; peaks and valleys. We are on a journey. One that we were never led to believe would be easy at all. In fact, Jesus told His disciples as much in Matthew 20:22, when He asked them if they were sure they could can drink from that cup.

We can all easily become spiritually exhausted, dehydrated, and over-encumbered from the world we have to live in; whether you‘ve been serving the Lord 6 weeks or 6 decades. The key is to be refreshed, to drink from the Living Water. To renew your strength in and through Jesus. God given stamina is the ONLY way you can ever finish the race. 

-DC & CC