Run to Win
This review was first published on February 24, 2020.
Sports are everywhere. The NBA. The NFL. The Olympics. While there are much inspiration and motivation to see in our favorite athletes, we must not miss the metaphor the Bible gives us in training, competing, running, and winning. In Run to Win - The lifelong Pursuits of a Godly Man, Tim Challies hopes to help men successfully cross the finish line of life.
Life-Long Pursuits
In this book, blogger, author, and book reviewer Tim Challies gives us a three-part game plan for Christian discipline. In Part 1: Disciplines of Faith, we look at the basic Christian disciplines of embracing our purpose, knowing our doctrine, practicing our devotion, and prioritizing our church. In Part 2: Disciplines of Life, Challies gives us practical help in redeeming our time, pursuing our vocation, and controlling our sexuality. In Part 3: Disciplines of Relationship, we tackle the big responsibilities of accepting our leadership, treasuring our marriage, and nurturing our children.
This short book is less than 200 pages long, and Challies wastes no time or space with elaborate stories or trite phrases. Those familiar with his blog articles will feel comfortable with his straightforwardness, and those new to his writing will find it immensely practical. Scripture is used to back up his outlined claims and he often gives us concrete steps or examples to follow.
A Godly Man
What I appreciate most is his directness. As I have found to be typical of Challies, he is not afraid to write about taboo topics. For instance, in Chapter 12: Control Your Sexuality, he calls for men to stop masturbating, bounce your heart (not just your eyes), get accountability, surrender 100% of your sexuality to God and 100% of your sexual energy to your wife. He does not expect us to be perfect, however, so he also directs us to seek and receive forgiveness in our sexual shortcomings. He writes as a man who understands, and that allows him to be blunt in his words.
This book is not all about self-motivation and a winning-mindset. Challies reminds us that we will fail in our callings if we do not rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit. And he points us to Christ, the founder, and perfector of our faith, who is the true and better example of what it means to be a man. I come away with a greater dependence on God to help me live a life that pleases him.
Finish Strong
While I know that bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This book will benefit men of all ages and in all stages of spiritual maturity. We must run our race and finish strong. I am reminded that every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
I received a media copy of Run to Win and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.