September 29 Thought for the day

1 Corinthians 9

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control,[b] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

If we observed the regimen of a long-distance runner, we would notice specific choices they make to prepare and run the race. These choices mirror our race as well.

Runners pace themselves.

The Christian race is a marathon, not a sprint, meaning that consistency, not the speed at which we run, is the key. We’ve all known those who wear themselves out only to burn out. They’re sitting on the sidelines, and if they remain and don’t finish the race, they won’t forfeit heaven, but they will forfeit the rewards that await.

We do serve God, but He cares more about who we are becoming than what we are doing.