In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he corrects, chastises, and encourages them by turns. In chapter 9, he speaks of surrender and how to live in the Christian faith. In the end, it comes down to this: run from sin, run toward God, and run this race like the devil himself is behind you!
If there is a question in your heart that something in your life is not of God and is not good or true or beautiful, change it! At the very least, begin trying to change it. Change is arduous. Sin is a temptation often because it is easier. However, God did not pluck your soul into His family for you to coast along.
Run!
Most of us know about the seven deadly sins, and probably don’t have to worry about the idea of quitting those. How many of us need to quit fibbing when asked how we’re doing, we say “Fine…”?
Of the seven great virtues, how many of us can say we regularly chase a practice of each?
You want to strengthen your faith? Practice good works, read the Word, and pray. It is hard to find yourself in a spiritual drought when those three pillars are raising you closer to the rainclouds of Heaven.
Run, sister!
Find truth in all things, shun anything that is not wholly good, and race toward virtue. We have the benefit of living in an era with no shortage of battles against consumerism or avarice, where the default is apathy and distraction.
Chase focus and honesty, grace and gentleness. Find good everywhere. Maybe it’s cleaning your bathroom or smiling at a kid. Maybe it’s breaking that habit or quitting those sins.
Run, sister!
This is not a sprint. Your endurance is born of the Holy Spirit. When your energy is flagging, and your feet hurt, pause, breathe, rehydrate, and restock. And then keep going. Run with joy! We have the assurance that we are not hamsters on a wheel, running without purpose or progress. Our race ends in the halls of heaven.
Run, sister. Run!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
The Nomadic Troglodyte 
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