Well Done

Have you been watching the Olympics?
Most of the world has been watching with fascination.  Watching them perform it's immediately apparent that although each one has an immense talent, they have given countless hours perfecting and honing it. Year after year they were up before dawn, practicing endlessly, sweating it out, pounding their bodies and spirits into perfection. Throughout their careers they have doubtless made mistakes but gotten back up and gathered their dignity and tried again, working toward perfection.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Paul says, "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 a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."
We are soldiers for our Lord. We are subject to spiritual storms and an enemy that is crafty, sneaky, and bites us with his sharp fangs in our soft spots.  But we have an advantage in that we have the Almighty God on our side.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.-Ephesians 6:10-12
So how do we run and train spiritually for the battles we face?
It takes daily training. If you wanted Olympic gold, you surely wouldn't practice only on Sundays! :)  So, we train every day. We train in heartfelt, sincere prayer; confessing, praising, submitting our all. By holding nothing back. We train by reading Gods written word: memorizing it, meditating upon it, making changes in our lives as we discover what he asks of us. We are called to live a life victorious through the Holy Spirit who lives within us and gives us the strength to do the impossible.
And when we run and train hard, letting the Spirit pour through us, the world around us will notice.  They will feel the love of the Father that flows through us, and we will have no fear or shame in sharing what it is that makes us different.
God gave you a talent. Whether it's teaching, encouraging, singing, praying for others, use your talent and train as though for the gold. And above all else, whatever talent we possess, remember the lesson of 1 Corinthians 13:13.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Do all in love. Run so that at the end of your race, your Father will tell you, "well done."

Father, please fill us with your Spirit. Light our hearts on fire, and strengthen us to do your will in all things.
Help us to run like the wind for your kingdom. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Wishing you blessings.