Don’t Drop the Fuel

Many years ago my wife and I ran our first 90km Comrades marathon. We prepared very carefully with our nutrition. But as the next one came around I started dropping things. "I don't like these energy gels," I said – so I stopped taking them. "The Powerade makes me feel sick" – so I stopped that too. I made other plans, ate what I liked. But every Comrades became harder. I struggled to finish, energy depleted, often unable to take in fluids. It's only recently – I'm a slow learner – that I discovered I should never have given up those fuels just because I didn't like them. I simply suffered far more than I needed to. Likewise, God has given us vital spiritual routines to fuel life's journey: reading His Word, praying, fellowshipping, showing love. Yet we grow tired of them. "The Bible is fine, but it's a bit boring. I'll replace it with a bit of Netflix. I'll be fine." And before we know it, we're struggling and not sure why – because we've forsaken the very things that sustain us. At its core, it's God's Word: a daily diet that never changes, yet sustains us through the entire journey. "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8). Life is an endurance race – only with the correct diet will we not just endure but thrive. (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/jos1v8