The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Friday
February 8, 2008
"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize.
You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict
self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an
eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am
not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete,
training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to
others I myself might be disqualified."
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
For those of you who are fairly new to the devotionals, I'm a little overweight. Several times I have made marvelous determinations to exercise or walk to help things along, but strange things happen when I do. Once, when I made such a determination that I was going to walk every day, the first day went great. I walked up and down my street and prayed for the people in every house I passed. I felt strengthened and elated as I completed the task. I couldn't wait for the next morning so I could do it again. After having my quiet time, I changed into my wind suit and walked outside. As I started to descend my steps, I missed the second step and ended in a large pile on the cement at the bottom of about ten steps. I was bruised and hurting. I didn't walk any more.
Then, following my heart attack, I again was going to walk. I even went and bought new shoes folks, the whole gamut. People I worked with promised they would walk with me at lunch and everything. So, just before lunch time I pulled out my socks and shoes and got all pumped up, and they left the building to go out to eat…three days in a row. I gave up.
Satan will do all he can to defeat any discipline we start; whether that is walking or having a daily quiet time. He has figured out that he can't beat my quiet time, but he sure won the victory over my walking. I guess I better try again.
In any event, we need to keep our focus on the purpose God has for our lives. Sometimes we get distracted or discouraged and we stop short of the finish line. Indeed, there may be seasons when we need to take time to refocus and refresh ourselves along the way. Yet, we don't need to stay in the land of refocusing. We need to get busy about the task God wants us to complete.
As you do your Saturday things this weekend, be thankful that Sunday is on the way!
Father, as Americans we truly look forward to the weekends. Help us not become too lax in what we do or don't do on Saturdays. Help us keep our focus on Jesus and how He wants us to love as He loved, as You showed Him how to love. Give us the grace we need to continue the race!
