I’ve lost close to a hundred pounds twice in my life. Both times, when I was tantalizingly near the goal… five or ten pounds away… I eased up. I quit monitoring my eating habits. And in both cases, the pounds came back on a lot faster than they’d gone off.
There can be a temptation to stop and call it good in our faith lives too. Can’t we take a little time off from trying to reflect Christ’s love to others, especially to people we really don’t like? Can’t we cut back just a bit on our charitable donations so that we can manage a new car payment?
Paul gives us the answer in today’s first reading; a half-hearted effort, shadowboxing as it were, won’t win the race. We must train constantly, drive ourselves, be disciplined. For while we all can win the race, we can only win it if we’re in it to win it, every minute of every day. Whether we’re teacher or disciple, taking a lap or two on autopilot won’t work. If we ease up too long, we may disqualify ourselves.
And about my struggle with weight? I’ve still got a way to go, but I’m down three dress sizes from this time a year ago. I think before I put anything in my mouth. I contemplate the true reason I want something to eat. I’ve disciplined myself to working out three times a week. This time, I’m in it to win that battle too.
