Sideways movement is wasted movement

Australian sprinter, Matt Shirvington, recently stated during a training segment on TV: “Sideways movement is wasted movement. You must keep all your energy going forward.” It struck me that we Christians have lots of sideways movement. Worry, fear, busy-ness, strife, regret, sin. Yes. A lot of sideways movement.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT) Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Hebrews 12:1-4 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

“Sideways movement is wasted movement. You must keep all your energy going forward.”