God Speaking

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3: 14)

Quite a big group from my family have signed up to run in a half marathon race taking place in a few months.  Their ages range from twenty to those in their fifties. The race is on, in all sorts of different ways, those who are older anxious to show the younger ones that they too can run, the younger ones also want to prove they don’t spend their spare time, watching T.V or playing with their smart phones. The pressure is now mounting as preparation for this big race is essential and daily work outs and lots of running is becoming very much a part of all their lives. Thousands enter this race so I am not expecting any of our family to cross the line first, but I was pleased to hear that this is not their aim. The race itself is the most important part and the aim is to increase their personal best time.

The phrase, “personal best” struck a cord with me and I suddenly realised, that should be the aim for us all who follow Jesus. Not to make some half-hearted attempt to live the Christian life, but to persevere in everyway so we give of our best to the Lord

“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.” (Hebrews 12: 1)

Some of the comments from friends, to the family runners, is also a good comparison to the Spiritual race we choose to run when we commit our lives to the Lord. Some sound familiar e.g.

• I am too busy to exercise every day. (I don’t have time for prayer and Bible study)
• My friends are not interested in running (I don’t know anybody who goes to church)
• I am not good enough at running (I am too sinful, nobody would want me in their church)

I know that all my family members want one thing from this race. They want to complete the course and put their very best effort in doing just that.

This is exactly true for us too as we run that spiritual race and Paul puts it plainly; 

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20: 24)

Personal best is a phrase I am going to incorporate into my life. It is a liberating thought for all of us. We don’t have to worry if those around us are better runners than us, we don’t have to worry about those who are ahead of us or those who are behind us, all we need to spur us on is the Holy Spirit’s encouragement and to know at the end we will hear.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25: 21)