Run the Race
The Apostle Paul used an illustration in The Bible for the serious attitude we should adopt to living life as Christians. '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. 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 for ever.' 1 Corinthians 9 v 24-25 (NIV). If you have become a Christian, you have started running, but in this race everyone is a winner through what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross! In the verses just quoted, Paul writes to the Corinthians and uses an illustration of being a Christian like that of running a race, running to win the prize. How can we do that? Paul isn't talking about physically running. It's a metaphore, like running the race for presidency. He is basically saying, if you're serious about living for Jesus, you'll take it as seriously as if you were aiming to win an important race.Find a Church you like and join it
IMPORTANT: Join a church that preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ and the message of His grace. Successful runners train with other people. Take the Olympics for example. What ever type of sport an athlete completes in, he or she is part of a team representing his or her country. Being a Christian is no different. When you become a Christian, you become a part of Team Church, so you need to join a church to really excel as a Christian. At church you can worship God with other Christians and receive teaching. People can encourage you and when you feel ready, they can pray with you and you in turn can do the same for them.Attend an Alpha Course
If you want to learn more about Jesus Christ or if you have recently become a Christian, I would recommend attending an Alpha Course. The name Alpha is from the Greek word which means Beginning. In the Bible, Jesus says'"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."' Revelation 22 v 13 (NIV). Alpha web site (opens in the same window)
