December 16

Run the race, flee from sin, run to God.

Galatians 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”

Philippians 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

1 Corinthians 9:24,26 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize…Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.”

1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Hebrews 6:18 “God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.”

All of these seem to suggest a speediness to life, but I would say that it is more about effort than speed.

Our life is a race, but it is more of a marathon than a sprint. However, both races requires all of our energy to be invested in that race.

We need to be giving it “our all.” We need to be completely invested in our walk with Christ. This means that we invest our time, treasure, talents, and energy in following Christ.

Sometimes that means being “still” in His presence, that is not a race, but it is still putting 100% of our effort into sitting with Him in those moments.

Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and give Him our all, throwing off everything that interferes and running our race with everything we have in us!