‘Athlete! Run Harder!’ – your Lion Bites word for today

God is assembling a huge team of athletes from all across the world, one
like the earth has never seen, both in size and in spiritual fitness. In
every corner of the globe his honed and toned superstars are limbering up
to run their races. The work continues in the training camps of everyday
life, where God’s athletes are going through the disciplines, the
exercises, the diet, the work-outs, the team work and the races. “Team
Christ” is emblazoned on their running vests; they bear His name, these
elite athletes. They make Him proud. On every track and in every gym where
His athletes are working through their training routines, He is there,
shouting constant encouragement and direction.
These athletes are really quite something to behold! When they run, whether
a training exercise or a full-on sprint, they run with purpose and
determination. They are strong – supernaturally so – and every day they
become stronger, leaner and more able. They know their goals, their focus
is fixed. They listen for – and hear – their coach’s encouragement over the
din of the stadium and it helps them speed up – they are spurred on by His
delight and pleasure in them.
This is you. You are on the team. You are God’s athlete. Go on! Run harder!
*Hebrews 12:1-3*
*Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let
us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our
eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before
him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from
sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.*