Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint - E-Books

Run to Win

The Christian journey is not a sprint but a marathon. To understand the difference, think about a sprint—it’s like a 100-meter dash. You start, you finish, and it’s over before you even have a chance to say, "Praise the Lord!" But a marathon is different. In a marathon, runners begin slowly, they pace themselves, they plan their race, and then, towards the end, they push forward with all their strength.

Life is like that. It's not a sprint but a marathon. Many people start their journey with zeal, passion, and excitement, but somewhere along the way, something goes wrong, and they don't finish well. It’s not just about how you start; it's about how you finish.

Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV): "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."

When you start a race, you must run it with a plan in mind. You need to focus on reaching the end, not just the beginning. This applies to every area of life. But what does it mean to finish well?

Finishing Well: Completing God's Assignment

Finishing well means completing the assignment God has given you. Whether it’s a business, a family, or a ministry, what God has entrusted into your hands must be finished faithfully and diligently.

As the scripture encourages us, we are called to finish the race that is set before us (2 Timothy 4:7). It’s not enough to start; we must see things through to the end, ensuring that we fulfil the purpose God has for us.

Two Examples: Saul and David

Let’s look at two men from the Bible—Saul and David. Both were called and appointed by God. Saul didn’t just decide one day that he wanted to be king, and neither did David wake up feeling like he was becoming a leader. Both men were chosen by God for their roles.

Let’s turn to 1 Samuel 10:21 (NKJV): "When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found."

In this passage, we see the prophet Samuel in the process of ordaining Saul as the king of Israel. When the tribe of Benjamin was brought forward, Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But here’s the interesting part—when they looked for Saul, he was nowhere to be found. Why?

At the start of his journey, Saul was humble. He didn’t see himself as worthy to be king, so he hid. His humility was a trait that God admired. Humility is often the starting point for many great leaders. Saul, in the beginning, didn’t think too highly of himself.

Humility, as we know, is highly regarded by God. James 4:6 reminds us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” In Saul’s case, he started with a heart of humility, which pleased the Lord.

However, as time passed, Saul’s attitude changed. Initially, he sought to please God, but later, he became more concerned with the opinions of people. The very humility that once marked Saul’s character began to fade.

Saul began to focus more on what others said about him rather than what God had spoken over his life. This shift became a critical point in Saul’s downfall. Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) warns, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."

Saul, instead of continuing in humility and trusting God's word, fell into the trap of being led by the voices of others.

Saul: A Tragic End

Who was Saul before he became king? He was an insignificant soul, hiding among the animals and the equipment (1 Samuel 10:22). But then, God called him and made him king over Israel. The question is, why should it matter what others said about him?

Saul, once so humble, began to be consumed by the opinions of others. He thought, "How could they say such things? I am the king!" But had Saul forgotten where he came from? He was nameless, running here and there with no status until God chose him.

Saul’s story reminds us of the danger of pride and how easily we can forget God’s favor when we start to believe in our own importance. Saul, who once had no status, now couldn't handle the criticism of others. His desire for validation from people became more important than his obedience to God. Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." This pride ultimately led to Saul’s downfall.

Saul: The Instagram King

Saul wasn’t just a king—he was the tallest man in Israel, good-looking and handsome. In today's terms, we might say he was "Instagram material." He had the outward appearance of a perfect king. But all the charm and good looks couldn’t save him from his inner struggles. 1 Samuel 9:2 (NIV) describes him as "a handsome young man, as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else." Despite having the ideal image, Saul failed.

In the end, Saul didn’t just fail to finish his race—he was killed. He couldn’t complete the mission God had entrusted to him. 1 Samuel 31:6 (NIV) states, "So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day."

His life serves as a cautionary tale: it’s not enough to start strong; you must finish well.

David: Chosen from Humble Beginnings

Then there was David. His beginning was similar to Saul’s—God picked him up from the sheepfold. He wasn’t even considered by his own family at first. He was out tending the sheep while everyone else was gathered. But God saw him.

Just like Saul, David was ordained by the same prophet, Samuel. Both men had the same spiritual father, yet their stories took vastly different paths.

It’s interesting how both Saul and David were chosen by the same prophet, but one finished his race while the other did not. As it says in Romans 9:16 (NIV), "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." The prophet Samuel initially made a mistake by looking at Eliab, David’s older brother, and thinking that he was the chosen one.

Samuel thought, “Surely, the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But God said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:6-7, NIV).

The Prophetic: Learning from Mistakes

This shows us that even prophets like Samuel, can make mistakes. But making a mistake in the prophetic doesn’t make someone a false prophet. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV): “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” No one sees everything perfectly.

Prophets are still human, and even they need to seek God’s guidance continually. Samuel realised this when the Lord corrected him, reminding him that it wasn’t Eliab but David, who was chosen.

After going through all of Jesse’s sons, Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse responded, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives” (1 Samuel 16:11, NIV).

When David finally arrived, the Lord told Samuel, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12, NIV). David, the humble shepherd boy, was chosen by God to lead His people. This was a turning point in Israel’s history.

How many of you understand what I’m saying? God told Samuel, “Anoint this guy!” And Samuel, perhaps in his uncertainty, asked, “Lord, are you sure?” But God said, “Yes, anoint this guy!” From that moment, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David (1 Samuel 16:13).

But notice this: David did not immediately become king like Saul did. Instead, he went back to the sheep pen. I want to speak to every young man and young woman reading this—listen carefully. Many people receive a prophetic word and think they should immediately step into that bigger role, leaving behind the work they were doing before.

The Misconception of Titles

Often, people receive a prophetic word like, “You are a prophet,” and suddenly, their priorities change. They think, “Now I must announce myself—Facebook, here I come!” They change their name to “Prophet Timbuktu,” even though just yesterday, they were simply “Timbuktu.” Titles become their focus. Today, they're a prophet; next year, they’ll claim the title of apostle. Some even go further, calling themselves patriarchs.

But remember, just yesterday, they were volunteers! Now, they think volunteering is beneath them because of a new title. They don’t want to serve anymore. They forget that true leadership comes through humility and service.

The Example of David: Return to Humility

David, however, did not act like this. After receiving his anointing, he didn’t rush to claim the throne or demand recognition. What did David do? He returned to his sheep. He went back to playing the harp, developing his relationship with God.

David’s time with the sheep allowed him to write Psalm 23 (NIV): “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” He wasn’t seeking recognition or titles—he was growing in his relationship with the Lord.

David continued to pour his heart out to God, writing psalms like Psalm 5:3 (NIV): “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” He wasn’t focused on outward titles but on inward growth.

David's time in the fields wasn’t wasted; it was a season of preparation. He wrote Psalm 42:1 (NIV): “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” David cultivated his relationship with God in the quiet, away from the spotlight. This is where his true strength came from—his deep and personal connection with God.

So, to anyone seeking recognition, remember David. Go back to your sheep, and develop your relationship with God. Titles will come and go, but your relationship with God will carry you through every season.

The Wilderness vs. The Palace

In the wilderness, you can see "D-E-E-R", but in the palace, you can only see “D-E-A-R” When David wrote Psalm 42:1 (NIV): “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God,” he was speaking from a place of passion for God. Hope you get what I am saying.

Only a man with a deep longing for God can write such words. But when a person fights for titles and positions, they can’t hear God's voice or feel His presence. Why? Because their desire is fixated on the chair—the title or position—rather than on God. They lose sight of what truly matters.

David, despite his humble beginnings, was a man who understood the power of trusting God. When he faced Goliath, he said, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45, NIV). David wasn’t relying on physical weapons—he came in the name of the living God.

He was a New Testament man living in the Old Testament. Just like we, as Christians, do not fight our battles with physical weapons, David trusted in the name of the Lord to overcome his enemies.

A Man After God’s Own Heart

David was not perfect. He made mistakes, just like you and me. He slipped—he fell into sin with another man’s wife. But what sets David apart is how he responded to correction. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, David didn’t act like King Jeroboam, who would have killed the prophet. Instead, David humbly accepted the prophetic word. He said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13, NIV).

David fasted, repented, and prayed. And do you know what God said about him? Despite his mistakes, God called David “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22, NIV).

Finishing well doesn’t mean you never make mistakes. It means that when you do fall, you stand back up, ask for grace, and keep moving forward. True repentance and humility are what lead to finishing well. David’s life shows us that no matter how far we slip, God’s grace is sufficient to restore us.

So lift your voice, lift your praise, and lift your offering to the Lord. Ask Him for the grace to finish well.

A Heart After God

Let’s turn to 1 Samuel 13:14 (NIV): "But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command."

This is how God, through the prophet Samuel, announces David. The Lord sought out David, a man after His own heart. Now, let me ask you, can you be a man or woman after God’s own heart? God didn't merely suggest or advise David—He commanded him to be the prince and ruler over His people.

Before you can receive the authority God has for you, you must first be a person after God's own heart. Don’t rush for the title without first winning God's heart.

The Importance of Winning God’s Heart

Titles and positions mean nothing if you haven't first gained God's favour. Many people seek recognition, but they forget that it’s the heart that God is after. The authority to lead and the power to rule come after you have won God's heart. Don’t take up a title before securing His approval.

As Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV) says: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

Let me share a personal story with you. One day, I was in the company of a great man of God, Apostle Rambabu. I hold great respect for him. I was with him at a crusade, and I remember an incident that left a lasting impression on me.

After the crusade, as we were getting into the car with another man of God, Ankit Rambabu, someone came up, rowdy and pushing for a picture. Security was asked to intervene, and the man was pushed back. Apostle Rambabu, however, said something I’ve never forgotten. He turned to Ankit Ramabu and said, “Don’t just win souls, win hearts.” That wasn’t directed at me, but I was present, and I took that wisdom to heart.

The key is this: You must first win the heart—whether it’s God's heart or the hearts of people—before you take up any title or position. If you win God’s heart, the title will follow, and it will remain. But if you take the title first without securing His heart, the title may be taken from you. This principle is true for every area of life—whether it’s ministry, business, or family.

Today, I pray that the anointing of God will touch your life like never before. The Holy Spirit will move upon you, but remember this truth: Winning God’s heart is the foundation. Seek Him first, and the rest will follow.

Finishing Stronger: David’s Legacy

David understood the reason behind his success. One day, as he sat before God, he acknowledged, “God, I know why you have brought me this far. It’s for the sake of Your name and for the sake of Your people.” David wasn’t focused on his own fame or recognition. He knew that God raises people for His own glory and for the benefit of His people, not for personal ambition.

God raises a man, not because of who he is, but because of His own purpose. It’s not for personal glory or self-interest. When you carry a heart after God, you will finish stronger. This was the key difference between Saul and David.

Saul started well but failed to finish strong. He became distracted by the opinions of people and lost sight of God’s purpose. David, on the other hand, also made mistakes—serious ones—but he finished stronger because he was a man after God’s heart. Acts 13:22 (NIV) confirms this: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

David knew how to repent, how to return to God, and how to stay humble before Him. That’s why he succeeded, whereas Saul failed.

Finishing Strong: Your Choice

You get to choose who you will be. Will you finish well? I pray that when you reach 60, 65, or 70 years of age, people will look at your life and say, “This person finished stronger.”

In families, people often avoid talking about certain relatives. For example, they may say, “Don’t talk about Aunt Sheila,” or “Shh, don’t mention Uncle Harry.” Why? Because they didn’t finish well—they lived their lives in chaos, jumping from one place to another, like a monkey in Noah’s Ark.

But when people speak about you, may they say, “This person was a father in the family,” or “This woman was a mother to all.” Even if you don’t have all the money in the world, your legacy will be that you finished well.

Paul’s Example: A Life Well Lived

Look at what the apostle Paul wrote at the end of his life in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV): “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul finished well because he stayed faithful to the work God gave him.

And what about Jesus? On the cross, He declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:30, NIV). Jesus completed the work God gave Him, fully and completely. Can we say the same at the end of our lives?

The question isn’t how many followers you have or how many likes you’ve received. The real question is, Have you done the work God gave you to do? Have you multiplied what He entrusted into your hands, or have you buried it?

Matthew 25:21 (NIV) says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” May that be said of you when your race is finished.