It’s Never Too Late

to take that step

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 15:5–6

One of the memories from Junior High that sticks with me to this day, is going to gym class for the first time in 7th grade. In elementary, we only had recess—total free-form play. In Junior High, they took it up a notch.

Our Junior high PE teacher’s name was Mr. Sonntag. The guy is a legend. He is an ex-Marine and knew how to keep a class of young guys in check.

There were so many things about PE that were different: getting gym clothes (yeah, you know), a gym locker, showers and all of the organization and testing around our PE class. But with all of that I remember thinking “Why is this class required? I understand math, science, English, etc., but why is PE required?”

What I didn’t realize—as a junior high student—is the importance of physical activity for our bodies. This body would be my home for the next 70+ years. And understanding how to maintain it would go a long way to making those years count.

If there is anything that I’ve learned from Mr. Sonntag, it is this: regardless of where you are, physically speaking, you can work to increase your body’s health. Especially in the area of endurance.

And it’s never too late to start.

And here is why this is so important: Life is not a sprint; it is more like a marathon. And to take care of your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly obligations, it’s going to take some endurance.

That is true physically and spiritually.

One of the areas of spiritual growth Jesus’ disciples wrote about was the need for endurance. Spiritual endurance. Just as we can build physical endurance, so we can build spiritual endurance.

And it’s never too late to start spiritually.

If you aren’t watchful, life will wear you down and roll over you. So, like a good workout plan, worship and discipleship will build spiritual endurance in you to meet every challenge that comes your way.

As you walk with Christ, he will encourage you by building endurance in your life. Jesus’ little brother, James, tells us that the trials we experience build endurance in our lives. “So,” he says “let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Then Paul describes the outcome of allowing God to build endurance and encouragement in our lives. It is this:

that we would have “the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had”

Can you imagine what this world would look like if everyone had the same attitude toward others that Jesus has for us?!

Can you imagine what this world would look like if everyone had the same attitude toward others that Jesus has for us?

Wow! It would be world-changing.

And what is the outcome of this attitude toward others? Paul says,

“…so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

Instead of the junk that makes up our nightly newscasts, imagine that together our attitudes toward others would bring a smile to God’s face. It would glorify Him.

That is what happens as we build endurance to live out Jesus’ purposes.

Life is challenging and it will take endurance. And there is no way around it—to build endurance will take active participation. The great news is that it is never too late to start.

We are starting up a new Disciple-making group this next week, on Wednesday nights at CenterPoint, and would love to have you join in and be part of that. This is a place to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. This is where we build endurance. You can get more info here.

Mr. Sonntag was right: physical training is good. But don’t stop there! There is more to life than just the physical. Spiritual training has benefits for this life and the life to come.

And that happens as we live a life of worship. Hold onto Jesus. Actively allow him to build his endurance and strength in you.

Bill Herried is lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma, Washington. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon. He is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren, and he loves a good biryani. Bill invites you to learn more on Your Daily Encouragement

Photo by Vincent Peters: from Pexels