09/10/2027
Have you prepared yourself for the challenges of faith ahead? Are you ready for the trials that lie before you, or are you totally out of spiritual shape? Be as Jesus was... ready for the moment of God's calling... be ready to join the Father in the race of your life.
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 ESV
Are you prepared for honorable use? Have you been in training like an athlete training to run a great race?
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV
Olympians prepare most of their lives to run a single race. Once run, it is in the past and there is no hope of ever running it again. If by chance they injure themselves and can't run; well, that opportunity is gone forever. Our lives and faith are the same... when it is done and we stand before our Lord in judgement, the race will have been run and all that is left us is to face the results. Will we stand with a wreath upon our head, or go down in defeat with our heads hung low?
My wife used to run half marathons, and to prepare herself she trained day after day. She ran, and watched her diet to insure it was healthy, and that her meals provided the nourishment she would need. The training was difficult and occasionally she would be hurting and need rehabilitation or encouragement, but when the day of the race came, she was ready, and I cheered her on as she crossed the finish line. The training was hard, but the victory sweet.
“So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, "Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey."”
Revelation 10:9 ESV
In our spiritual lives we need to practice every day, and consume those things that will nourish us and give us strength for the race ahead. Do not be lax or wooed by the worldly who long to see us fail. The Slacker can't stand the presence of those who prepare themselves. He is reminded of his own failing.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the spiritual preparation you provide for me as I prepare for the race before me. I thank you for the pain of training, and the suffering and injury that strengthens my resolve. Lord, bolster my determination in those times when I am lax in my prayers or remiss in the study of your Word. Bring me to my prayer chair with tears, and supplication. Let me see your Son Jesus as I pray to you in His name. Jesus help me to prepare myself for every task our Father places before me. Then, as I run, hold my feet firm and steady. Let no stone trip me, and place a wreath upon my head when the race is completed. My desire is to finish first, but in you there is no second, and all receive the champion's share of your prize.
Rich Forbes