We Are In A Race

Last night while I was talking to the Lord, I had a revelation that I was in a race and I have not taken it seriously. I saw all my ups and downs all the way back to October 1962. Why has it taken me this long to finally realize this race is real? We are in a race and we will get a crown when we finish. In a real world race here on earth the competitors prepare daily by training. Boy, have I blown that! Training requires commitment and focus on what they want to accomplish.

I have heard the “Organized Church” teach we can lose our race and not go to Heaven. Baloney! We are children of God (Galatians 3:26), if we believe in Jesus Christ, we are joint heirs with Jesus. If you are a child, you are part of a family. Sounds permanent to me. My children are part of my family and always will be. What about yours?

Each Christian is in the race, and each race is for them only. They are racing the race of life and they will finish if they really are children of God. This is all about preparation and training while we are here in this life. Training has to be done on a personal level. You can just play along and keep falling down. But if you are serious you will learn to keep your balance and become stronger, run longer, and overcome the obstacles in front of you daily.

In Ecclesiastes (9:11) Solomon reveals that the race is not to the swift or sprinter. This is a cross country, endurance race. One that starts on the first day you believe and become Gods child, and it does not end until your final breath. Lots of people who believe start off with a great rush of excitement and run for all they are worth. Only to sputter and fall due to their lack of commitment to training, or getting the basics of study and meditation of the Word of God down into their heart and mind, so they will become strong and be able to endure the countless miles of life that lies in front of them.

When the Apostle Paul wrote Hebrews 12:1, he was reminding the Christians to lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us. As we run this race of life we sometimes forget to remove the ankle weights. or sin that is always present to slow us down. Paul knew this and he was just reminding us that when they are removed, you feel lighter, faster, and stronger. Jesus made us free by His blood. Let yourself soak in that freedom as you run the race set before you, pacing yourself for the endurance run that lies ahead.

Just as in any cross country run there will be sign post that shows you which way you should run so you can stay on the course. If we miss these sign post we will get lost and spend valuable time back tracking to where you once were. The Bible tells you how to prepare, but you must read it and put it into your hearts and mind, so that when these sign post come up, you will know where to turn to stay on course.

The result of winning any race is a “First Place Prize”,to the Winner. But, the result of this “life Race” is you are assured of the prize. You can not fail to receive it as you leave this earthly race and cross over the finish line, into Heaven, as the winner.

The Bible tells us of three Crowns that the winners will receive. One, is the Crown of Life, (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10), Two, is the Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) and Three, is the Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4).

You are Gods child and you will finish the race (Hebrews 12:2), as Jesus is always encouraging you on each day (Hebrews 13:5). You will make it, just don’t give up.

See you next Wednesday.