Dear Faithful One,
What do you spend your time doing? What goals are you chasing and for what reason? From all that you could be building, did you know that it is a privilege to be included in what God is building? Let us learn from the Apostle Paul how God expects us to build when we are serving Him.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor 9:24-26: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." Paul then speaks of disciplining his body and making it a slave to choices that matter eternally. It is only in doing so that he says in verse 27, "so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." NIV
I used to tell my kids, "Don't worry about winning, just enjoy the game." When I studied God's Word, I discovered this is not how God thinks when we are working His assignment. Paul tells us to "run in such a way as to get the prize."
Realize, though, that once you stop chasing "crowns that will not last" and redirect your attention to "get a crown that will last forever", your focus must be on running. We are to go into "strict training." Instead of being consumed with the prize, be disciplined in what you do every day. Instead of day dreaming about the crown, start working to be the best in what you are doing!
Paul said "only one gets the prize". In other words, in an environment of competition, where there is only one grand prize winner, God is not afraid of the pressure and He expects believers to run for the gold medal. If you hav e ever watched how a gold medalist Olympian focuses, it will give you some idea what it takes to win the gold medal. There will be so many forces competing with you but God expects you to stay on track with the race you are running.
God wants us to focus on wining "a crown that will last forever." In the goals you are chasing, do they have any eternal value? If not, realize that God considers you "like a man running aimlessly."
The Apostle was careful that after preaching to others, that "I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." As we lead others to serve God, may we be consistent in our lives and not be a stumbling block to cause others to waver in their commitment to God.
What must you do today to focus on activities that matter for an eternal kingdom? Ask yourself, "What prize am I going after? Is this a prize that will matter in eternity? If not, let me refocus my energies to running a race that will result in goals that have eternal significance!"
I pray this devotion encourages you in a special way. When I pray for you, I hear a victory song. I believe in you because I believe in the power of God's Word in you as you put His Word into action.
Love,
Anita