Every Christian leader is in a race. Every Christian leader desires to finish well and hear Jesus’ affirming words at the finish line, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Brad Jenkins shares some helpful thoughts on what it will take to accomplish this!

Guest Post by Brad Jenkins

It was 7 p.m. on October 20, 1968, at the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. The marathon had long been over. The winner, Mamo Waldi, had crossed the finish line more than an hour earlier. As the last few thousand spectators prepared to leave, they heard police sirens. Through the gate came a lone figure wearing the colors of Tanzania, limping badly with a bandaged, bloody leg. His name was John Stephen Akhwari, and he was about to teach us all a lesson about finishing well. When asked why he didn’t quit despite his injury, Akhwari said simply, “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start this race. They sent me to finish.”

The Race of Faith

Like Akhwari, we’re all running a race. Our race is the journey of faith, and God didn’t just send us to start – He sent us to finish.

But here’s the sobering truth: Most people who start strong in their faith don’t finish strong.

Why? That’s a question that has haunted me. Why do some people’s faith last a lifetime while others fade away?

I don’t think many people make a dramatic decision to abandon their faith. Usually, it’s much more subtle. They experience what I call “the slow fade.”

Why the Slow Fade Happens

The slow fade occurs when we drift from daily connection with God. When we let prayer become occasional rather than intentional. When we gradually disconnect from Christian community.

It’s like a marathon runner who stops training. The decline isn’t immediate, but it’s inevitable.

The Secret to Finishing Strong

Here’s what I’ve discovered after years of ministry: Your spiritual life is not what it is by accident.

Examine the lives of every person you know who has maintained a vibrant faith for decades. You’ll discover their secret isn’t superior willpower or fewer struggles or better circumstances.

Their secret is that they’ve developed and maintained holy habits.

Success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by habits.

Successful people start and maintain the right habits, and they keep doing them.

Some people occasionally put a little money into savings or retirement. Others consistently put a little money into savings or retirement. Then one day the occasional people think the consistent people are lucky that they have so much money set aside. Ummm, no. It wasn’t luck.

Some people occasionally go on diets and eat healthy. Others consistently eat healthy. Then one day the occasional people think the consistent people are lucky because they’re in such good shape and don’t struggle with their weight. Ummm, no. It wasn’t luck.

Or you look at people in the Bible who lived amazing lives for God. And you think, “Man, that would be so cool. They’re so lucky that God chose to use them like that.” Ummm, no. It wasn’t luck.

Success happens by habits.

The Three Non-Negotiables

Just as a marathon runner needs proper training, nutrition, and rest, your faith needs three essential elements:

1. Daily Time in God’s Word

2. Consistent Conversation with God through Prayer

3. Regular Connection with Other Believers

Each of these habits adds something unique, and important, to your life.

If you’re not currently engaging in these habits, it may sound intimidating to consider adding three new things to your life, but you’ll discover that they are enjoyable, and that they work together – doing one will support the others.

Making It Work

A lot of people decide to do these habits but don’t keep their commitment. To help you succeed, over the long haul, it will help to make these habits:

• Easy – Don’t commit to reading the Bible for 2 hours a day. Start with 10 minutes.

• Attractive – Make your time with God something you look forward to. Choose your favorite spot, your perfect time of day, worship music you love, etc.

• Clear – Decide in advance when and where you’ll practice these habits.

The Truth About Change

Here’s the good news: You are not a victim of circumstances. You don’t have to hope for change. You can start and maintain habits that will lead to change.

That means you don’t need something big to happen. In fact, if you want something big to happen, start small. God encourages us, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10).

Remember: Goals on their own don’t change your life. Habits do. And you’re not trying to become something you’re not. You’re training to become who God created you to be.

Fight the Good Fight

At the end of his life, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7).

I want to be able to say those words.

I want you to be able to say those words.

You can. But it won’t happen by accident. It will happen by habits.

Take Action

I want to encourage you to do two things:

First, check out the book I recently released: Holy Habits: How to Walk with Jesus for a Lifetime, which is available on Amazon. It will help you to dig deeper into this topic and get your habits in line with your spiritual hopes and dreams.

Second, make this your prayer: God, I want to walk with you for a lifetime. I want to fight the good fight and finish my race. But I need your help. Fill me with your Spirit and give me a passion for the kind of holy habits that will make this possible.