06/06/08

Your Speed should define your Focus

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Just a few days back I had taken my daughter (who is just two years old) out on an outing and as she was playing about I instructed her not to see down while running, but to see ahead. I warned her that if she continues to do so, she may stumble and hurt herself.

As I was instructing her I reflected on my own words and found they were so true to our spiritual lives. When we start to walk with the Lord we have to focus on the basics aspects of Christianity, things that make us Disciples of Christ. But as we grow spiritually, we are suppose to run and not walk, as such time we look ahead with understanding about our purpose as Christians, and God's purpose in Creation on the whole. It is not, that we ignore the basic things, but the experience of our walking should build that confidence in us.

I have seen many people always stuck with the basics of Christianity and do not run the race. Their spiritual lives are stagnant and they loose heavily on their harvest. Sometimes their little extra efforts make them to fall because of the lack of understanding of God's Kingdom.

Paul's ministry required him to build people in the basics, but he himself had an idea of the things ahead (although he refrained from speaking it openly).

The story about the tortoise and the hare does not apply here, for it has to do with consistency not speed. Let us not walk but run this race, focusing ahead as we pick up speed.


[ Prayer Starter ]

Lord, You have made me with a mission on earth, which is part of your mission. The mission You came as man to do on earth. Let me receive my harvest in full as I run this race and as things go faster nearing to the finish line. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Psalms 119:105
105 NUN (reflect) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 3:21-23
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a
1 ... let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)