Devotional

Run your own race

When I was asked to share a devotional, I thought of 3 verses from 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

1 Corinthians 9:24–26 NLT

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

I want to leave you with 3 P’s: Purpose, Perseverance, and Prize.

Purpose

Do not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run to get the prize.

Each of our lives have purpose. God has created each us to run life’s race, so run with purpose.

Hebrews 12:2 NLT

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Perseverance

There will be times that you get tired and you’ll feel like quitting, Keep running. It might feel like a runner’s block. Not every job that you do is fun. Not every class that you take is exciting. You might not feel like praying or going to church. Let’s not get discouraged and keep on going.

Glenn Cunningham.

In the early 1900’s Glenn and his brother Floyd suffered from an explosion while lighting the furnace at school. Floyd died from his injuries, and Glenn was burned so bad that he lost the toes on his left foot. The doctors wanted to amputate and yet Glenn believed that one day that he would walk, and even run.

It took two years for him to take his first step, but by age twelve he was winning races. He later held State and then world records in the 800 and 1500m races. His best times were 1:49.7s for the 800m and 348.4s in the 1500m.

Here’s a man that missing toes. Here’s our records in Saskatchewan for senior boys track. In the 800m - 1:53.94 and in the 1500m 3:50.52.

Through all his struggles he held onto Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Finally,

The Prize

Run to get the prize!

h​What do you want to be remembered for? Matt and Kavaia, you have the world in front of you. Run for your eternal prize.

Philippians 3:14 NLT

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I want to close with a story of a young man that had every opportunity that he could have wanted and yet he lived for his eternal prize.

No regrets In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden dairy estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire.

His parents gave him a trip around the world. Travelling through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe gave Borden a burden for the world’s hurting people. Writing home, he said, "I’m going to give my life to prepare for the mission field."

When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible two words: "No Reserves."

Turning down high-paying job offers after graduating from Yale University, he entered two more words in his Bible: "No Retreats." Completing studies at Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. While there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died within a month. A waste, you say! Not in God’s plan. In his Bible underneath the word "No Reserves" and "No Retreats," he had written the words "No Regrets." (Bobby Scobey)

My prayer for each of us one day, is that when we stand before God, We will have no regrets for how we lived our lives, but that we would hear the words. “Well Done!”