The Race

Hebrews 12:² “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross…” (GNT)

How do you know what God’s race is for your life? A big pointer is to look at your S.H.A.P.E. Your Spiritual gifts, your Heart (what do you have a heart for?). Look at your Abilities, what abilities do you have? Look at your Personality and look at your Experiences. Those are the things that shape you and your shape determines your race. Rabbits do not fly. Eagles cannot swim. Fish cannot run, they do not have legs. Your shape determines your race. 2 Timothy 4:⁷ “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully.” (ERV, emphasis added).

There is a race and there is the race. Many people are running a race, but are you running the race? Many people are doing a work, but are you doing the work? You need to make up your mind because you are not here by accident. Make up your mind for the rest of your life, you will run the race for your life. Make up your mind that you are not going to run a race, going around like hamsters, but that you will run the race. And so shall it be for you in the Name of Jesus.

God will take you off every other race you are on that is not of God in the Name of Jesus. And God will plant your feet on that path. You will run the race and at the end of the day, you will say I have finished the race. I have finished my race, the one that heaven set for me. In life, there is pressure to do many good things. In God’s Favourite House, for example, we are pressured to do this program and to go in that direction. I thank God for the churches that are doing those things, God bless them. However, we can only do the things that God has called us and shaped us to do. We cannot be everything to everyone.

To finish strong, the fourth thing you need to do is Minimize The Pain And Maximize The Future Reward. The truth is, with anything that matters in life, there is pain involved. Ask anyone that is anything, if they tell you their stories, you will be amazed. Hebrews 12:² “…He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his AFTERWARDS; and now he sits in the place of honour by the throne of God.” (LB, emphasis added). Everyone goes through pain. Do not specialize your pain, is not special. Instead, minimize the pain and maximize the reward. If Jesus did not focus on the reward that is beyond the cross, the Word of God says Jesus would not have been able to even go to the cross.

Prayer: Father, set my feet firmly on the race that You have set before me, help me fix my eyes on the glory ahead, and minimize the pain of the process, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!