I recently did an obstacle challenge run in southern Missouri. During the four-mile trek through muddy conditions and facing several obstacles that I could not successfully complete, I began to feel sorry for myself, thinking, “Man, I wish I was 60 again!”

Being consistently engaged in a more extensive and intensive training regimen at that time, I was in excellent condition. But absent that self-discipline, there were obstacles I’d completed back then that I could barely even attempt eleven years later.

As I ruminated on the aging process and my own declining strength, I admitted that some loss of strength and ability is inevitable for most people as they reach their older years. Especially without a determined exercise program.

But then I thought while traipsing up yet another muddy hill, “You know, it’s not like that at all with our spirit!”

If we are truly seeking and following closely to stay in step with the Spirit, continually feeding on the Word, and practicing spiritual discipline, we actually get better with each passing year. We cultivate greater grace toward others, choose to forgive in situations when we previously would not have, and exhibit more kindness and compassion toward others. We grow in faith and hope and love. We bear the fruit that the spirit desires in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Although we may find the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, there is absolutely no good reason to not expect greater spiritual strength and more maturity in Christ each passing year. Let us take comfort in this and make every effort to run the race set before us and to finish the course.

Why have such optimistic determination? Because, well, for one thing… “Greater is the Spirit that is in us than the spirit that is in the world.”