A race is also characterized by progress. There is a starting line, and there is a finish line. The gun goes off, the runners begin to run, and they make progress, one foot after another foot, toward the goal. The Christian life is that way. In fact, the keyword in the Christian life is not the word perfection. Now, you will achieve perfection in heaven at glorification, but that's not the keyword in your Christian life now. The keyword is progression. The important question is, Are you making progress as a Christian, as a spiritual athlete, running this Christian ultramarathon that God has called us to run? Are you further along today than you were last week, last month, a year ago, three years ago? Are you making progress?

Another part of this race is the importance of direction. You've got to run in the right direction! You've got to run toward the goal! In fact, if you run in circles you'll never win; if you run backwards, you'll never win; if you violate the rules and run across the boundaries of the track, you will be disqualified. It's important that you run in the right direction!