It's not about the finish line
by Father Terrence P. Ryan, CSP
May 6, 2015

Someone recently told me that they had dropped a spiritual practice because it was not getting them anywhere. They had given up on any spiritual practice. Nothing worked. Well, a practice is not about the finish line. The end will take care of itself. The practice is about the daily effort, or journey, as some call it. People often drop a prayer practice because they have an end point in mind, and they do not seem to be “there.” In my religion, Jesus said, “Follow me.” In racing, we call it training to the coaches insights and daily program. No finish line focus. Eastern spiritual wisdom says, “Practice.” No finish line focus there either. We never stay in the same place. You are either getting better with prayer, practice, daily routine, or you are getting worse by doing nothing. Life is movement.