I love this article and was very challenged by it. You see, I am one who has quit in the middle of the race. I guess I haven't given up entirely or I wouldn't be here at Crosswalk. Yet I can say that my answers to those seven questions brought tears to my eyes. I am not discouraged by that however; I am renewing my commitment to get back in the game and to run as to win the prize. I have to because I have one of the most important jobs in the world: I am a Dad! Keep me in prayer?

~Bob

Responding to Jim731, God gave us freedom of choice, wanting us to choose Him, which supports this article that we must make a conscious choice daily to stay in relationship with God. Do not underestimate the power of the enemy at work every minute of every day to try to entice us away from Our Creator and Savior. I, too, put my faith and trust in the power of Jesus Christ, but I spend time in His Word and in prayer to maintain that relationship and to grow deeper in love with Him, as we are commanded in the Bible. Consider Joshua 1:8 NIV "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." Or Psalms 119:97 NIV "[Mem] Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." My own history of walking away from God haunts me, too, but it's the very thing that drives me closer to Him now, keeping me in the race, which, I think, is the point of this article.

Christ's be with you.

This is the central core of what the Christian experience is all about.
A core the often gets covered up with layers of religion.

Thanks for the reminder ... I think that is the worst thing that can happen to us Christians. Giving up mid-way through the race or not being able to see the finish line. I too fear the same thing and I know this is very real and can happen to anyone of us.

All the more we need to be always in tune with God and our lives in sync with His will and plan.

Looking and answering the questions .. what caught my attention was about being sensitive to the spirit. Personally, this is what I struggle with at times ... and I pray for God's strength to resist temptation and to listen more and obey the promptings of the spirit.

Having a spirit-filled and spirit-led life is what we need to be successful in this race.

Again, thanks for the reminder!

Eric