A recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life revealed that when Americans give up religious faith, it’s more often a gradual process than the result of sharp conflict or disillusionment. The study surveyed former Catholics and Protestants who are not now affiliated with any religion. Nearly three-quarters said they had “just gradually drifted away” from the church. Half of the former Protestants said their belief in Christian teaching or doctrine had simply eroded or disappeared over time.
In other words, many American believers drift spiritually instead of running the race of the Christian life in such a way as to win. Discipleship, like a race, requires all-out effort.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY from Today in the Word Devotion Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
“Running the race” is a biblical image of perseverance and sacrifice—living in this way brings glory to God. He has a different way than the world of evaluating achievements. He measures success in different terms. In other words, the world encourages us to run one kind of race; God demands another. It takes courage and strength that only God can give to run a race the world doesn’t recognize, for a prize it doesn’t value, but this is what it means to be a disciple of Christ!
MP3 audio link to today’s readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_21_09.mp3
Moody Radio Online http://www.moodyradio.org/
Today in the Word http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_ProgramToday.aspx?id=35654
