Running race
A girl whom I know shared her experience like this. “I want to become an athlete. But my parents don’t like it. In order to practice, I get up at 4.00 am in the early morning . While all are sleeping, , I get out of the house without making any noise, taking my shoes and go running. I do this daily.”
Those who run in the race, practice daily, submit their body to discipline. In order to win the prize one has to run with competent persons. 10th std child cannot run with 5th std child and win the prize. As you grow in age and experience, the persons with whom you run 
change. If it is a school, one starts with his own school, get promoted to inter school competition, district level, national level etc…
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run but one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may obtain it”. 1 Cor. 9:24
As you grow in faith, the Lord will take you to higher levels to test your spiritual strength and entrust more responsibilities with you.
Soldiers of Christ, with whom are you running today? With the same children from the day you were born? Are you sitting in the same Church along with the 60 year old believers, 50, 40, 30 year old dead Christians? What I notice today is, 90 % of the Christians have not even registered their names for or entered the race field. Many are sitting in the gallery and enjoying the race others are running. commenting on the runners, criticizing them, appreciating them, applauding etc. Many of the Christians while coming together have nothing to share about their adventurous race, but proudly share about their pastor’s or other believers , achievements. What a pity!