My son is a cross-country runner, and we recently talked about what makes him feel ready for a race. Despite all the physical training, staying hydrated, and eating well, I was curious to know what truly makes him feel ready, or prepared. He emphasized that the mental aspect is crucial. According to him, once you’ve completed the necessary physical training, your physical body should be good to go. But the remaining readiness is all about mental strength. He says that’s where perseverance and faith come in. He believes that reaching 100% mental readiness is impossible, so relying on perseverance and faith in God is essential. I loved hearing him share that. I found this perspective quite insightful, as it acknowledges the limitations we have as individuals.

This concept is also relevant in the context of the Olympics we spent part of our summer glued to the TV watching. World-class athletes train rigorously, but ultimately, mental fortitude and faith often make the difference in their performance. I noticed that some of the winningest athletes this year openly expressed their faith. It seems that these athletes have discovered the value of leaning on God for inner strength, acknowledging that there’s only so much their bodies can do, and the rest relies on mental resilience.

With all of this in mind, I see athleticism as a three-legged stool, with each of the three legs representing something critical for success: (1) the physical game, (2) the mental game, and (3) team/coach/community support. And all of these are held together by the platform of faith in God. Without Him, the other legs simply could not be held together. And without one of the legs, the stool would fall.

My son is only a high school sophomore, but God has already taught him (and me!) a lot through his journey in various sports (like when he broke his ankle, linked here). I’ve even written about my own journey training for a marathon, and what God taught me through that time (linked here). But I love how God uses each season to remind us and teach us of His truth. Through this season, He’s giving us insights into His call for us to be spiritually equipped, prepared, and persevering in the race of life:

• Training and Discipline: In cross country (and any sport), success requires preparation, dedication, and consistent effort. This mirrors the spiritual journey, where we are called to be disciplined in our faith and grow in godliness. Verses like 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 talk about running the race with purpose and not aimlessly, as well as the importance of self-discipline. Just as my son has to train his body, we are called to train our hearts and minds for the work God has for us.

• Perseverance and Endurance: Long-distance running is all about endurance, pushing through discomfort, and staying the course. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” while keeping our eyes on Jesus. It’s about staying spiritually ready, enduring life’s challenges, and trusting in God’s plan.

• Being Ready for the Unexpected: Cross-country races can bring unexpected obstacles—hills, weather changes, and fatigue. Similarly, life brings its own challenges, and we are called to always be ready (1 Peter 3:15) to respond with faith, whether in sharing the gospel or facing trials. Ephesians 6:13-17 talks about putting on the armor of God, so we are prepared for whatever comes our way.

• Purposeful Rest: Part of being ready is knowing when to rest and recover. Just as runners need rest to stay strong for their next race, God calls us to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30), and even commands it as one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). Being ready also means taking time to renew our strength through prayer, reflection, and resting in God’s promises.

The long hours on the trails, the hills that seem impossible to climb, the moments of exhaustion—these aren’t just tests of physical strength; they are teaching my son something about life. Just like cross country, life is a long, winding path filled with challenges, but also with moments of triumph. And just like any race, life requires preparation, endurance, and faith in something greater than ourselves. You see, in a race, we can’t control everything—there might be rain, uneven terrain, or even other runners pushing past us. But what we can control is our readiness and mindset. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we’re called to be ready for whatever life throws at us. We don’t know what obstacles we’ll face, but we trust that God has prepared us for each step if we lean on Him.

Running isn’t just about physical stamina. It’s about heart and soul. And that’s true for our walk with Christ, too. God calls us to be ready—ready to face trials, ready to serve, and ready to grow. Just like training for a race, God trains our hearts for the challenges of life. We may not always see the path ahead, but with faith, we’re prepared for whatever comes our way. We trust that God will guide us and give us the strength to persevere—whether on a trail run or in our faith walk.

My son’s time on the trails is shaping him in ways beyond his muscles and lungs. The race isn’t just about the finish line, but about the journey. It’s about learning endurance, developing strength in weakness, and finding purpose in each step—whether uphill or down. (And might I sneak in that a State Championship run would be a fun place to reflect on the season!)

Dear Lord, may we always approach life’s races with You in mind. As we face tough stretches, help us to remember Your truth and draw strength from it. Please give us hope and perseverance, knowing that the journey, while sometimes painful and sometimes exhilarating, is always an opportunity to grow and trust in You. Only by Your grace and in Jesus’ Holy Name I pray, Amen.