I Corinthians 9:24 & 26
v. 24 Do you not know that those who run a race all run,
but one receives the prize?
Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
v. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.
Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
(It was a Tuesday...)
This day took off and I frantically ran after it. I never caught up! It reached the finish line with me trailing far behind, nowhere in sight. I ran fast and gave my all, and it left me in the dust. So what happened? The day started out as usual; chores at the barn, making coffee... a shower, but then I had those extra things - the Dr. appointments, the errands, a visit with my grand babies, a stop at the store, date with my husband.....
Did I pray? Did I do my bible study? No! I must confess, I didn't think of it. I got up earlier than usual so I could feed the living things before I left for the Doctor's. I fed everything but myself. My daily bread sat on the table with my bible study book. It was available but I was not. I could have grabbed it on my way out the door but I didn't. My focus was on the many things I "needed" to do.
Through the day I shot an occasional shallow prayer up to my Father, but nothing deep, and I received no life-changing replies back. I didn't invest the time necessary to hear Him, so I ran with uncertainty. I fought the struggles of the day like one beating the air.
When I take time to pray and read His word at the beginning of the day, it's like taking hold of His hand and walking (or running) with Him through it. I turn the race over to Him and let Him set the pace, as He leads me to the finish line. Each of those days add up to a lifetime. He wants all of us to run the race of our lives to win the prize!
When I take time to pray and read His word at the beginning of the day, it's like taking hold of His hand and walking (or running) with Him through it. I turn the race over to Him and let Him set the pace, as He leads me to the finish line. Each of those days add up to a lifetime. He wants all of us to run the race of our lives to win the prize!
"Oh Lord, I am so sorry. My desire is to put you first and I put you last today. No wonder I felt like I was beating the air. I was running in my own strength and I might as well have been going backwards. Thank you for showing me that without you I won't win the race, no matter what I get accomplished - I won't even place. Thank you, that at the end of every day is the dawning of a brand new one; a fresh beginning with you. Help me run this race to win."
