For a person to experience their best life, they must be willing to have periods of giving up things they enjoy. It may seem more enjoyable to lay around at home every day instead of hitting the gym or going on a walk or run, but the result of that lifestyle is hardship. The easy way is usually not the easy way. How many of us want to experience the fullness of God’s marvelous life but have not been willing to go to that spiritual weight room consistently. Consider these profound words of Jesus.

Mark 8:34-35  Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.   For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

The natural inclination of man is to fight for our rights, fight for our righteousness and shun anything that doesn’t give us what we think makes us feel good. Apostle Paul understood the necessity of training and how going through pain can equal gain. To experience a life of real significance, you can be sure that you will indeed go through strict training.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27:  Do you not know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

Obtaining a truly significant life will always require being willing to give up what is comfortable and easy. The easy way is never really the easy way! Freedom is not the right to do whatever you want but the ability to do what you know is the best. It is those who have the ability to do what they know is best who will achieve a life they love living!

Successful people hold tightly to their daily habits; unsuccessful people, out of a desire to be comfortable, adhere to quality activities occasionally. Living for what feels good at the moment produces a life of discouragement and purposelessness but being willing to do the hard things produces a life of purpose. God has amazing things in store for you! Will you allow him to do his incredible work in you? Is it easy? NO! But remember, the easy way is not the easy way! To win in life, you will need to…

RUN TO GET THE PRIZE