5 Steps to Complete the Christian Life Well
Palitha Jayasooriya
Acts 9:15
Introduction:
The Summer Olympic Games of 1964 were held in Tokyo, Japan, a country that at that time was still trying to recover from the effects of World War 2. Many nations were represented at the Games with Sri Lanka sending a contingent as well. Among them was a long distance runner by the name of Ranatunga Karunananda who was scheduled to take part in the 10,000 meter race, which included 25 laps in all.
The 10,000 meter race was won by Billy Mills of the USA and when Mills passed the finish line, Karunananda was still 4 laps behind. (It is said that he was unwell on the day of the race). The spectators expected him to quit the race at some point but Karunananda kept running. As he kept running alone, people initially began to laugh at him and it is said that some even began to heckle him. But he still kept running. When the spectators eventually realized that this unknown athlete was determined to finish the race, the jeers slowly turned to admiration and some applause slowly began to rise across the Stadium. As he started on the final lap, the applause grew louder as the crowd, now inspired by his perseverance, encouraged him to complete the race. Cheers and applause erupted as the exhausted athlete eventually finished the race.
When interviewed after the race, Karunananda said, ''The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. I completed my rounds.'' This story captured the imagination and the heart of the Japanese public so vividly that it eventually found its way into Japanese Elementary School textbooks!
Today, many Christian Leaders and Pastors are quitting the race and their ministries before they reach the finish line. Discouragement, trials, moral failures, criticism, and insults all add to the problem. The numbers giving up at present are worrying as reflected in many articles I have read.
Proposition: Steps needed to complete the Christian walk w ...
Palitha Jayasooriya
Acts 9:15
Introduction:
The Summer Olympic Games of 1964 were held in Tokyo, Japan, a country that at that time was still trying to recover from the effects of World War 2. Many nations were represented at the Games with Sri Lanka sending a contingent as well. Among them was a long distance runner by the name of Ranatunga Karunananda who was scheduled to take part in the 10,000 meter race, which included 25 laps in all.
The 10,000 meter race was won by Billy Mills of the USA and when Mills passed the finish line, Karunananda was still 4 laps behind. (It is said that he was unwell on the day of the race). The spectators expected him to quit the race at some point but Karunananda kept running. As he kept running alone, people initially began to laugh at him and it is said that some even began to heckle him. But he still kept running. When the spectators eventually realized that this unknown athlete was determined to finish the race, the jeers slowly turned to admiration and some applause slowly began to rise across the Stadium. As he started on the final lap, the applause grew louder as the crowd, now inspired by his perseverance, encouraged him to complete the race. Cheers and applause erupted as the exhausted athlete eventually finished the race.
When interviewed after the race, Karunananda said, ''The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. I completed my rounds.'' This story captured the imagination and the heart of the Japanese public so vividly that it eventually found its way into Japanese Elementary School textbooks!
Today, many Christian Leaders and Pastors are quitting the race and their ministries before they reach the finish line. Discouragement, trials, moral failures, criticism, and insults all add to the problem. The numbers giving up at present are worrying as reflected in many articles I have read.
Proposition: Steps needed to complete the Christian walk w ...
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