The apostle Paul had a bit to say about living our God-given
life well. He used the idea of running in a race to illustrate that we are to
live a full life. That is, every day and every moment of that day, we are to
stay focused on running our race. We are to train and remain fit for it. We are
not to rest on our past achievements or failures, but keep focused on where we
are going and what we have been gifted to do.
Paul’s language is one of encouragement to keep going and not
to stop, Phil
3:12-16. At times we may stumble, or even fall, but we need to get up and go
again. If we see someone stumble or fall, we should be willing and ready to
help them up. We should not condemn them, as one day it may be us who needs a
hand up.
He encouraged us to keep training and striving forward running
to receive the prize, 1 Cor 9:24-27. Because sometimes we can be hindered in
our running and need to be encouraged back into the race, Gal 5:7. Paul had his
race to run with its giftings, and he finished it, 1 Tim 4:7.
What about us, how are
we going? Have we fallen and are to hurt or embarrassed to get up again? Maybe
other runners kicked us when we were down, but should we just lay there? Let me
encourage you, where ever you are in your race, if you have stopped you can go
again, if you have fallen you can get up and run if you are running well
continue. If you see others who have stumbled and fallen, do not kick them
when they are down but stop and help them up and encourage them back into the
race.
Pause
in His presence for a moment and think this over…
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