FOCUSED RUNNING

I Cor. 9:24-27 Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. 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.  NLT

       Like a good runner who prepares himself well so that he can win the race, we must prepare ourselves so we can win the race of life. It takes a lot of self-disciple to train well for a race. Those who take charge of their wills and control the urges to slack off, do the best. It is not by accident that a runner separates himself from the pack to win a race. A runner does not enter into a race with the intention of losing. He believes he will win and does all he can to do it. The same thing holds true of all athletes. In order to compete well, there must be proper and disciplined training of both the body and mind. One can do all the training in the world and be at his very best physically, but if he doesn’t believe he will win, he has lost the race before he starts. And, if he starts the race knowing he will win but has not properly prepared his body for the race, he likewise will lose. Only those who are fit in both body and mind wins.

      We need to consider the life of faith in the same way. We must discipline our spirits and use much self-control in order to make it home. We must be focused on heaven and not let anything distract us from reaching our home. We must put forth our best effort to stay in the race. We cannot take time off to rest. We cannot allow anything to weigh us down. We must run the race well by sticking to the plan and pacing ourselves well. We must keep pressing on until we get home.

      It does matter how we live. It does matter how much effort we put into our walk of faith. It does matter whether or not we let Jesus be Lord. Victory comes to those who stay on the course and in the race.

       We must also remember than many races are run in difficult circumstances.  We can’t always predict what may happen, let alone control it.  We can’t control how others may run their race either.  We have to run our own race within the confines of our abilities.  As long as we do our best to run well, we will be successful. 

        As believers, our source of strength and energy is Christ in us.  When we let Him do what He alone can do in us, we will win our race.  Our diet consists of His Word, spending much time alone with Him, and having fellowship with other believers.

       We are in a marathon and not a sprint.  Pace yourself and keep on running.  We run the best when we maintain a steady pace from start to finish.  Great is the reward for those who run well.