My son Forrest was born about the time the movie “Forrest Gump” was produced. We heard many jokes about “Run Forrest Run!”. Interestingly, Forrest is now a runner!
Today we had a cross country 3 mile run today in Moreno Valley. I cheered him on at the finish line. He did not look his normal self and did not finish with his normal kick, but he finished well.
I asked him how he was feeling after the race. ”I threw up dad… “. (I will spare you the details, but it was gross!).
It was not pretty, but he finished the race.
The bible says that we are all in a race. We all have a lane to run in. Everyone Jesus has called into His family is engaged in the race.
The bible says…
I Cor. 9:24 ”Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win”.
The bible does not say to just “run however you feel like running”. The bible says to run to win! To get very intentional about the christian race.
Some of the Christians at the church in Cornith were getting stuck in their starting blocks. Others were complaining the race, how people were dressed for the race, the gifts God gave them to run the race, and they were getting their eyes off of Jesus and were GETTING DISTRACTED!
Its easy to get distracted and get pulled out of running the race. We can get entangled in so many non-essentials. The author of Hebrews advises us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily can disqualify us” and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us”. (Heb. 12:1)
We need to get honest about our weights!
- The weight of a old habit…
- The weight of a dead-end relationship…
- The weight of a bad attitude…
A old study was done about those who finished the christian race and endured over a lifetime. They found that there were 4 marks of those who finished…
1. They enjoyed intimacy with God
2. They were obedient to God’s word
3. They had genuine faith in Jesus Christ
4. They had the ability to receive council from others
How are we doing?
Even if we throw up along the way… even if its gross, even if there is no kick at the end, the bible says to “endure” and keep one foot in front of the other. Keep our eyes on Jesus who alone sustains us. For the glory of God and our joy, keep running!
Great to hear from you! Glad to hear you were encouraged!