Have you ever run and eaten a Twinkie at the same time? Or have you ever thought about it?
It would sure be difficult. Imagine running a mile with a Twinkie in each hand. To effectively eat
the Twinkie and swallow it without it “going down the wrong pipe,” you would probably have to
stop running.
It may be a terrible analogy, but running with Twinkies is like living a Christian life and
sinning. If we are focused on Jesus and our lives are progressing toward being more like Him
each day (1 Corinthians 11:1), and then we give in to sin(s), we have essentially stopped our
Christian walk. Eating a Twinkie while running (or trying to run) slows you down, because you
change your focus. Sinning while trying to walk in the light (impossible right?) slows you down,
because you lose your focus.
I love that our Christian lives are considered a “walk” or even a “run,” because that shows
action. We don’t call it a Christian “sit!” Living for Jesus (carrying your cross daily, Luke 9:23)
requires effort. Action. Mobility. We must be willing to show determination. To GROW.
Running and eating Twinkies doesn’t make sense (an oxymoron so-to-speak), neither does
being a Christian and sinning! I understand we all fall short, and sometimes Satan’s temptations
get the best of us. But again, it is called a Christian walk, and we run the race with endurance
(Hebrews 12:1-2), it is not a sit! Christianity is not stagnant! We must keep moving forward.
Walking in the light as Jesus is in the light (1 John 1:7). Growing.
Twinkies taste good, but are not good for your overall health. Sin looks good on the outside,
but is not good for your spiritual health.
Don’t run and eat Twinkies!

~Justin Barnes, Youth Minister
Azalea City church of Christ, Mobile, AL