“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” (1 Peter 2:11 MSG)
When I am running, I don’t mind slowing down for others. My hope is that by staying at their pace, I can encourage them to move forward and become better athletes. Anyone who is working diligently to progress, no matter what their pace, is worth investing in. However, if someone were to give up completely, I would not stay stagnant with them. Instead, I would continue to move forward on my own.
In the journey of faith, we often feel compelled to turn back or slow down for others who are behind us. We all enjoy companionship, and the inevitable hardships are easier to handle when we have support. Our hope is that we can encourage each other towards Christ. As long as we are all moving forward, no matter what the pace, this is mutually beneficial. However, watch out for those who are stuck in worldliness. They have no interest in growth, in moving closer to God. They will pull you back into the muck along with them. You might think you can convince them to climb up to higher levels, but, instead, they will drag you down to lower ground. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life. Be a good role model. Let your actions refute all worldly prejudices. As you move closer and closer to Christ, others will be inspired to do so as well.
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