Running the Race
http://youtu.be/D41cYjCsPuk - Back to You - Mercy Me
I'm not an athlete. Really never have been. But there was a time when I was seriously devoted to working out and eating right. I went to the gym just about every day, weight training, aerobics, and speed walking every morning, etc. I even changed my diet. Larry and I were serious about staying healthy and getting strong. It was almost my religion ... at the time.
By now, I'm guessing all of you who know me personally are wondering what happened. After all, I can't remember the last time I hit the gym. And my diet, well, let's just say egg white omelets are a thing of the past.
What happened was I got pregnant. At 46. I think my biological clock was on the blink because that was not supposed to happen to me, certainly not at 46. I traded in my cute little leotards and tanning salon membership for a precious little baby boy. It was a great trade.
When Tyler was born, my focus changed. It was no longer all about me. It was about making sure that baby had everything he needed. Now, instead of shopping for a new outfit for myself, I was drawn to the children's department to see what I could find for Tyler. His needs were more important than mine. My heart's desire was to make his life wonderful.
I think Paul was either a frustrated athlete or a great fan of the Games. Notice how many times he talks about "running the race" or "boxing - fighting the good fight". He used those expressions as an analogy to the Christian life. It got me to thinking.
Look how much effort some of us put into our sports and hobbies. For instance, a serious athlete trains seriously. The training can be grueling and can push one right to his limit and beyond. But the true athlete is willing to take the punishment, to endure the pain and long hours just so that he might possibly win a prize or get recognition or fame for his efforts. If he fails to accomplish his goals one year, he trains even harder to win the following year. He never gives up. He keeps his eye on the goal.
Paul tells us that he did the same thing. Philippians 3:13b-14 - "...but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."
An athlete is willing to train hard because he hopes to win a prize, maybe a trophy or sometimes, if he's really good, he might even win some money. If he's really, really good, his prize could be a contract for millions of dollars - just to play a game that he loves to play. But Paul's race was different. Like our athlete's, Paul's race required long hours, sleepless nights, a fanatical dedication to his goal, sometimes sacrificing his own wants and needs, giving up all semblances of a normal family life. But the prize that Paul received was worth more than a billion dollar contract to him.
Philippians 3:7-14
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Pressing toward the Goal
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
What am I focused on? Is it a hobby, reading maybe? I just read "Hunger Games" in two days. I couldn't put it down until my eyes were so blurry I couldn't read the words on the page! Am I focused on working out, baseball, football, volleyball, basketball, video games, scrap booking, shopping,” me time", ??? If you aren't sure what your focus is, answer this question: Where do you spend most of your time? On what do you spend the most money? That's probably what you're focused on.
I've got some work to do. I'm pretty sure God's not going to use another pregnancy at 62! But I also know that He has a way of getting my attention when I'm taking my eyes of the race.
I want my time on earth to count for something good. All that time and energy I spent on looking good, all that working out, tanning, spending money on clothes I didn't need, it was fun at that time. And there was nothing wrong with any of those things -- except when I let them become more important than the Race God has set before me. What do I have to show for all that training and hours in the gym? Not much. I didn't even win a trophy for my efforts. But the prize God has for me will last for Eternity.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - The Message
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.
Prayer
Holy Father, my priorities are so mixed up. I put too much effort into things that are here today and gone tomorrow. Lord help me focus on the prize You've set before me. Help me to throw off every weight that slows me down, especially the sins that so easily trip me up and take my eyes off of You. I want to run with endurance the Race You've put before me. Jesus, this Race seems more like an obstacle course at times. Guide me through each challenge, give me the skills and stamina and determination to reach the goal. Lord, I want to win this race, not just limp over the finish line. For Your glory, help me to finish strong. In the Name of Jesus. Amen
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Galatians 2:2
I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.
Galatians 5:7
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?
Philippians 2:16
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Philippians 3:14
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
http://youtu.be/UdWGLm4zxEA - I will Run to You - Hillsong
Zechariah 4:6
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
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| Have you got your heavenly running shoes on? Let's start running!!! |
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