Will You Run The Race

[Patricia Maddox]

God gave me this image…

There is a race going on.  Everyone is lined up with their numbers on ready to start out of the gate.  The shot goes off and everybody takes off!!!  Everyone is running just as hard as they can.  You can see all their muscles tense as they run each step with stride. And then ripple as their step hits the ground.  The sweat is running off their forehead and their heart is beating hard as they breathe hard with every breath.  I can’t really see any of the faces and then this is what God relayed to me…

“I have set before you a race to run, a fight to fight and there is a finish line.  Will YOU be a runner?  Or are you gonna stand on the side lines and hand out the water??

I thought, “WOW, what a loaded question Lord!”

1) Galatians 2:2 (NIV)
I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.

2) Galatians 5:7 (NIV)
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

3) Philippians 2:16 (NLT)
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

4) Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

5) 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

6) 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

BUT after pondering on it…I HAVE TO RUN THE RACE BECAUSE WITHOUT RUNNING IT, I WON’T REACH THE FINISH LINE!!!!  

We are called to be HIS witnesses and to spread HIS Word.  It’s no longer about us but all about HIM.

Whom will you run the race for, whom will you serve?  Just a little food for thought this afternoon.

Love in Christ Jesus,
~~Trish