Triathlons can include running, cycling and swimming. Triathletes train for years for each segment of the race to make sure they can endure the hardships involved before reaching the finish line.

We who are striving to serve God in these trying times are also running a race, and each day is our spiritual training ground. As individuals running a triathlon will have several areas in which to compete, we also have many areas in which to grow and overcome. Our race will be uphill and difficult at times, and then we may find a nice green valley to coast in for a certain period. Some of the hills before us are so steep we don't know if we can climb them, but God promises to never leave us or forsake us. Our daily lives involve many obstacles and Satan always covers the road with many stumbling blocks to get us off course.

God's servants are running a worldwide spiritual triathlon. We face many different and difficult hurdles to conquer on our spiritual path. We may stumble and fall, or even drop out of the race for a time, but as others of like faith reach out hands to help us get up and get back in the race, we must get up and go again.

Just as a physical family shares a family bloodline and DNA, our spiritual family shares a spiritual connection through God's Holy Spirit. As we read about trials our members are experiencing, we should reach out to help in any way possible, but especially in raising prayers to our Heavenly Father for His help and intervention. Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother and the Captain of our salvation, is our Intercessor and He goes before the Father on our behalf. We can also encourage our spiritual family members by sending cards and letters to let them know they are important to us and that we are raising prayers for them before our God. We can visit the sick, send flowers or take food for them and their family.

As we are directed in God's Word, let us run the race (Hebrews 12:1-2), striving always to keep our eyes open, our hearts full of love and compassion and our hands ready to reach out to help our spiritual family members as we run this final lap together. God will see us through! UN