The Attitude

1 Corinthians 9:²⁶ “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around.” (LB)

We will pick up today from our final thought yesterday. The question is, can you say that by the end of 2022 you completed everything God would have you do and that there was nothing left in 2022 for you? Are you ready for 2023 or do you have unfinished business from the previous year? This is our decade of destiny, and this decade will come to pass if Jesus tarries. By the time we are crossing over to 2030, if Jesus tarries, I pray that you will be able to say concerning the last decade, ‘I have fought a good fight, I finished my race in that decade. I completed all that heaven had for me.’ The truth is, it is the cumulative effect of these years and the decades that will make you be able to say at the end of your life, ‘I have fought a good fight.’

Some people deceive themselves that it is only when we get to heaven that we will know who will be in heaven. You can know now; did Paul sound as if he was confused? Not at all. If you serve God, you will know. Yes, God knows who is truly serving Him. But if you serve God, you will also know. If you are not sure, you need to be sure today. In today’s anchor scripture, Paul shows us his attitude in fighting, his attitude when he tackles a year, his attitude when he tackles a decade. Paul says, ‘my attitude is I fight to win. I am not just shadowboxing.’ [paraphrased]. Paul is saying, I am not just wasting my time. I fight to win. When I enter a fight, I have only one attitude, I am going to win so I fight to win. It can be bloody, but I fight to win. It can be tough, but I fight to win.

My mother used to challenge us growing up, particularly when writing exams. If for some reason we do not perform as expected, she would ask, ‘Who came first? Does the person have two heads?’ But beyond that, she would say, ‘Did you do your best in that exam? Was there nothing else you could have done?’ And most of the time, I could not look at her in the face and say I could not have done better or say that I could not have studied more. As I grew older, I made up my mind that even if I do not come first, I want to walk out of any endeavour knowing I gave it my best. I fight to win! And it is all about attitude.

For your light to shine bright, and your light will shine bright, the truth is you must win some key battles. Christ makes us victorious and makes victory available to us. As Christians, we have two fronts of battle and the first is external battles. Ephesians 6:¹² “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” We are in battle; spiritual warfare is real. I pray that this season, we will receive every victory that Jesus has earmarked for us, in Jesus Name.

Prayer: Father, by Your Holy Spirit, I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I will not play around, I will claim all my victories, in Jesus Name. Amen!