A Disciple’s Lifestyle

Point of Relation

Imagine standing at the starting line of a half-marathon,

heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

That's where my daughter found herself recently at Disney, her first-ever 13.1-mile journey.

At first, the idea seemed as daunting as scaling Everest in flip-flops.

But armed with determination and a trusty training app,

she laced up her running shoes and embarked on a journey that began long before race day.

From September's crisp air to the magic of Disney's course in November,

she transformed from hesitant novice to an able marathoner. Her strategy?

A clever blend of running and walking,

wisely pacing herself.

With each stride,

she proved that creativity in approach can conquer even the most challenging races

As the finish line came into view after 3 hours and 34 minutes,

she crossed not just a physical threshold,

but a mental one too.

Her accomplishment whispers to us all:

with the right tools, a dash of ingenuity, and unwavering commitment,

we can tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Her journey from app-guided training to a Disney finisher medal reminds us that

every great race begins with a single step -

and the courage to take it.

Things to Consider

But today we are talking about a spiritual marathon, not a literal one.

In this spiritual marathon,

we often see fellow runners sprinting ahead,

their creativity and shrewdness propelling them forward.

Yet, how often do we apply that same ingenuity to our faith journey?

Consider the ways worldly ambition outpaces spiritual growth.

What if we channeled our God-given creativity

into serving the divine purpose with the same fervor we pursue earthly goals?

Imagine a race where each stride not only advances our personal spiritual fitness

but also uplifts and energizes those running alongside us.

How might our community transform if we collectively redirected our innovative spirit towards God's finish line?

What Scripture Says

Jesus spins a parable as twisting as a marathon course.

A manager, caught squandering resources like a runner burning energy too fast, faces a reckoning.

He sprints into action, reducing debtors' bills like a coach adjusting race strategies.

Surprisingly, the master applauds this shrewdness.

Jesus observes,

"The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light."

It's as if worldly runners often outpace those in the faith marathon.

Jesus isn't endorsing dishonesty but challenging us to match worldly determination in our spiritual race.

"Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves,"

He advises, for eternal dividends.

This parable transcends money;

it's about stewarding all God entrusts to us.

Like marathon runners managing pace and resources,

we're called to navigate life with wisdom and foresight.

Proverbs echoes:

"Honor the Lord with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops."

It's about aligning our hearts with God's purposes,

not earning favor.

Jesus presents a stark choice:

"No one can serve two masters...

ou cannot serve both God and money."

Which finish line are we running towards?

The challenge rings clear:

use God-given creativity and resources for God's kingdom,

not self-preservation.

Transform your entire lifestyle into a tool for eternal investments.

This is our marathon -

not a self-centered sprint,

but a long-distance race of faithful stewardship.

It demands endurance, strategy,

and unwavering commitment to the ultimate prize:

hearing God say,

"Well done, good and faithful servant.

What This Means for You

Envision your spiritual journey as a marathon,

each step unleashing God-given creativity.

Where do sparks of ingenuity flicker in your daily run?

Channel that energy into your faith race.

Consider your pace.

Are you sprinting for personal gain,

or setting a rhythm that blesses fellow runners?

Be as shrewd in serving God as others are in chasing worldly trophies.

How can your skills and resources advance God's work on this course?

When reaching for your water bottle of wealth, pause.

Ask: Am I running as God's steward or a self-focused competitor?

Will this energy expenditure bring eternal rewards?

Let these questions transform each stride into discipleship.

Embrace your role as a light-runner.

Illuminate the path for others.

Whether pacing a novice or volunteering at an aid station, infuse your actions with divine purpose.

Every creative step propels you towards the finish line where Jesus awaits.

What This Means for Us

As a church, we're running this faith marathon together, each using our unique talents.

Let's be as shrewd for God's kingdom as the world is for profit.

Could our skills free up resources for outreach?

Might our connections reveal overlooked community needs?

Let's keep our eyes on the ultimate prize - hearing God say, "Well done, good and faithful servants."

Our collective creativity and united purpose will carry us across the finish line,

transforming not just our church, but our world.

Amen? Amen.