Savage2Saint Sobriety Sept 8, 2025

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. - 1 Corinthians 9:26 (NLT).

Where is your walk with Jesus going? Are you getting to know Him more every day or has your relationship with Him grown cold? Are you taking the Gospel to dark places and new faces or are you content just attending church? Are you going deeper in your relationship with Him or are you stuck being a "treadmill" Christian?

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term treadmill Christian, let me enlighten you. A treadmill Christian is a Christian who is spending a lot of energy, but they aren't going anywhere in their walk with God. In other words, they look busy but there is no substance to what they are doing. They are stuck in a religious cycle of going through the motions and missing out on the abundant life that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Sound familiar?

Maybe you're stuck on the treadmill through no fault of your own. Maybe circumstances in your life have distracted you from the pathway to peace. Maybe you once had a fire for the Lord that burned red hot, but now it's cold as ice. Regardless of the reason for being stuck, how does one get off the treadmill and back on the road to a fruitful, growth-oriented walk with the Lord?

First, examine your relationship with Jesus. Are you spending quality time with Him every day? Quality over quantity. Healthy relationships require communication and our relationship with Jesus is no different. Fall in love with the Word of God. Look forward to talking to Him throughout the day. Try journalling. Write down what you felt when you read the Word and then pray over what you wrote.

Second, examine your motives. Why are you doing the things you do? Are you doing them for show or are you doing them because you genuinely want to live a life that draws people to Jesus? Be honest with yourself. Jesus already knows the intentions of your heart, so this exercise is to gain knowledge for your own self-awareness.

Lastly, examine your goals. Where do you see yourself in a year? Three years? Ten years? Are you surrendered to the idea that God's plan for your life may not be the same as your plan? Are you asking Him to align your will with His will for your life? Running from the Lord's call will get you nowhere fast.

Walking with the Lord is a partnership. We, as Christians, are better when we walk in step with the One who orders our steps. When we get out of sync with Jesus and His plan for our lives, we can find ourselves stuck in the quicksand of being a treadmill Christian. By taking the time to examine where we are in our walk with Jesus, we can ensure we are running with purpose in every step. God Bless!