Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Running Your Race

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

One thing that many people do not understand is that God has a plan and a purpose for their life, God has a race for each of us to run. Using this example of a race there is a lot that we can learn about what we should do with our life. The first thing we need to understand is that there is a race for us to run. Some people do not understand that and so they go through life without a sense of purpose and meaning. But God created each and every one of us with a specific purpose in mind and we need to fulfill that purpose and run our race.

People often ask me about how they can find their purpose in life and discover the plan that God has for them. My answer is to tell them that the most important thing is to grow and develop as a Christian and trust God to guide you. Another piece of advice I share with people is that I encourage them to get involved by working in their local church. Doing both of these things is a step in the right direction and as we grow up spiritually and get involved God will guide us each step of the way. No matter what we do for God it all starts out with our relationship with God.

Another thing we should realize is that we have our own race to run. Sometimes people look at what another Christian is doing and think it is the most wonderful thing in the world and they try to imitate it. But God has given each of us a race to run and if we want to finish our race on earth here with success we need to run our race and let other people run their race. When I was in high school and I was on the track team the coach might tell me to run the 1600 meter race. If I then decide to go over and run the 100 meter race I am in a place I don't belong and I won't have the same level of success as I would if I had run the race the coach planned for me to run.

Lastly I would say that a large part of our success in running the race that God has for us is that we need to be willing to put aside anything that might hold us back or slow us down. When I ran track I did not wear hiking boots and a winter parka to run, that would have been crazy! But today a lot of Christians are trying to run their race with all kinds of extra stuff in their life and because of it they only have moderate success. It is not just the sin that will hold us back, it is all the other little things that will also cause us problems.

Living a life knowing that what you do has eternal value is much better than just existing on the earth hoping to hold on long enough to get to heaven. God has a plan for our lives and we need to run our race with patience and fulfill God's will for our lives. Find your place and run your race!