How am I running?

Today, I finished preparing for the youth group lesson out of Philippians 3.12-16. Part of Paul's language here is indicative of a race, straining forward, looking to the future. As I processed Paul's commitment to furthering his own spiritual life, even though we might consider him one of the primary examples of how to live and act, I came to some questions that I think we should all consider:

1. Why can it be difficult to continue to strive to be better when you are already ‘pretty good’?
2. What are some problems with comparing ourselves to those running around us?
3. What are some problems with focusing on the past rather than the future?
4. What are some reasons people put more effort into things like sports, work, and fun than their Christian race?
5. As you evaluate your race, what is one area you can focus on?

It is always beneficial to take a little time and participate in some self-evaluation, using as our mirror God's written word.