Run a Good Race
By Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading
“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” – Galatians 5:7
It started innocently enough. One day, my body was tired from a long work week. I slept in a little late, forgot to read my Bible, and didn't have the quiet time I had kept as part of my morning routine for many months. Then, I scrolled through social media during my quiet time instead of focusing on the Lord, reading his Word, and listening to his voice. It didn't start this way. I had every intention to keep my quiet morning routine going by reading the Word, praying, and listening to God's voice.
But one day became two days, two days became a week, and one week became several weeks. Pretty soon, I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a quiet time. Soon, innocent distractions like social media and sleep turned into excuses.
I cut my quiet time to get extra work done because I had a busy schedule.
I stopped praying because I had to run errands in the morning.
I stopped listening to God's voice in the quiet space in my home because I had to get my kids off to school. Soon, those innocent distractions became justified excuses. But neither helped me in my spiritual walk. And neither pleased the Lord.
In the above verse in Galatians, we are commanded to run our race with perseverance. The race the verse refers to is a metaphor for our spiritual walk with God. Just as a runner trains to run a race, in the same way, we need to train to walk a spiritual walk each day. But sometimes, we cut out the training and think we can run a race without it. When we begin running a race without being adequately equipped, we lose our endurance, become out of breath, and soon, people and things cut in on us and stop us from having a successful race.
Because we're not anchored to the truth and don't read and study the word, it's easy to be deceived by the world's lies. We're deceived when we scroll through our social media feeds more than we read our Bibles and watch YouTube more than we listen to sermons. Our minds become deceived by the world's ways, and Satan loves nothing more than cutting in front of us to stop us from running our race in Christ.
What starts innocent enough can become a major sin or an idol we bow to. Before we know it, our steadfast walk with God is nothing more than a distant memory.
What things in your life distract you from being equipped to run a fruitful race in Christ? Do you find yourself cutting out necessary spiritual time to make room for other demands? Do you give up time in the Word to get ahead on your to-do list, only to find at the end of the month you haven't read your Bible in some time? Innocent distractions like time, sleep, illness, and busyness are just some of the things Satan uses to ensure we stop running our race.
Those things and people's deceitfulness cut in on us and stop us from running a good race. To ensure we run a successful race, we must maintain a steady pace, endure, and persevere when the journey gets tough. None of this occurs without equipping ourselves with proper training.
We can't expect to run a solid Christian life without reading the Word, praying, surrounding ourselves with people who love the Lord, and seeking the counsel of wise people who help us discern worldly desires from legitimate longings. When we choose to let distractions prevent us from being trained in righteousness so we can run the race with perseverance, we sell ourselves short. We rob ourselves of the opportunity to run a race for Christ because we didn't do the work.
Innocent distractions can become significant issues before you know it. Be the person who gets up early, reads the Word, doesn't neglect quiet time, and surrounds yourself with a community of believers who will help you put one foot in front of the other and run the race with perseverance.
Father, let us be people who run the race with perseverance. Don't allow us to have innocent distractions that prohibit us from being equipped to run a faithful and steadfast race. Let us be adequately trained and equipped to run the race with stamina and endurance, and let us cross the finish line into your glory. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What things distract you from doing spiritual activities that train you to run your race with perseverance?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 10:23
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Paul Bradbury
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