Matthew 10:16-25

Matthew 10:16-25
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Endurance athletes are a special breed.  It's as much a mental battle as it is a physical one -- they have to will their bodies to keep moving, whether it's convincing their legs to continue to crank the bicycle pedals or their feet to keep moving forward or some other endurance event, often taking hours upon hours or days upon days to complete their chosen task.  It's hard, but when they reach the end, they can look back on the amazing feat they accomplished and appreciate all the work that went into it.
  Our life of discipleship is similar.  It's rarely easy -- it takes discipline and work to stay committed to discipleship.  We have to choose, day after day, to keep Christ at the center.  We have to resist temptation, choose selflessness, often without glamour or recognition.  It's a hard road to walk, but Christ has assured us that not only will he be with us along the way, but also that the end of the journey makes it all worth it, that the reward of eternal life in heaven is well worth the sacrifices we make along the way.