Running Your Own Race AFC Devotional October 03, 2014 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1 A newscaster, interviewing a Canadian Olympic runner who had just won a gold medal, asked the runner, “How did you do it?” The runner responded, “I concentrated on running my own race. I did not worry about whether any other person was running faster or slower. I did not worry about what others were doing. I just concentrated on my goal, and I made it!” In our focus verse, the writer compares the Christian race to a foot race. Unlike an earthly competitive race, everyone can win the race that Jesus has set before us, and we are much more likely to win if we are running our own race. It can be tempting to be distracted by how others are running—to compare ourselves to other Christians. We may notice slight differences in the ways we run, or observe some who appear to blaze ahead while others drop out. These thoughts can be a trap of the devil. Satan would love for us to get caught up in doubts about our salvation or the salvation of others. These doubts are disorienting. They can cause us to lose sight of our goal, to run in the wrong direction, or possibly even stop running altogether. However, if we keep our hearts tuned to God and do not worry about others, He will faithfully lead us to the finish line. This is not meant to imply that as Christians we receive no aid from our church family. Just as a dedicated athlete looks at great champions of the past and patterns his training after their examples, we can also take advantage of the good examples around us. In the Christian race, we can greatly benefit from considering the many examples of those who have reached the finish line with victory and have received their eternal rewards. By reflecting on how they overcame the challenges that came their way, we can be encouraged to keep running our race and overcome any obstacles that come our way. As we keep our eyes on the goal of making Heaven our home, we will not be worrying about how someone else runs his race. We will not be distracted by those who stumble or drop out of the race altogether. With the Lord’s help, we can patiently run and cross the finish line with victory, and like Paul we will be able to say, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Instead of distracting ourselves by focusing on what others are doing, let’s determine to concentrate on our own race and make the goal at any cost
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:06:48 +0000
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