by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
September 22
The Treadmill 2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Do you ever get the feeling that life is like a treadmill?I try to run three miles at least three times each week. But when I started out several years ago-on my fortieth birthday-I could barely run downhill for one mile. I had to build up quite a bit of stamina to reach three miles a day.
The older you get, the steeper the incline of the treadmill seems to become. Sound like bad news? It really isn't. As Paul said, a law of "inverse proportion" works in our favor. While our outer man is growing old, our inner man is being renewed.
But if I understand the Scripture, the longer we live, the more we have to die. The more you want to grow, the more you and I must say no to self and yes to Christ.
God gives our legs hills so that we can grow stronger. The prophet Isaiah gives us the secret of where strong legs come from: "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:31).
Now there's an encouraging word. As you persevere on the treadmill of life, you can count on God's grace empowering those tired muscles. And remember that if you are following the Lord your walk is really taking you somewhere. You're not just a sweating sufferer on a treadmill; you're a pilgrim on a journey. And you have the promise of God: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life" (Jas. 1:12).
Prayer:
Ask God to enable you to be the kind of spouse that will encourage every member of your family to grow spiritually into a man or woman of faith.
Discuss: How has your faith grown stronger as the road grows longer? As our bodies deteriorate, why is it important to grow in our "inner man" everyday? Ask your spouse: What can I do to help you grow spiritually?