1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the Bible says, “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Most days, I feel like I am running in a race from the moment I wake up to the moment I try to close my eyes at night. There are some nights I feel as though I need an off button for my brain because even when I close my eyes, my brain is still running in circles processing every little unnecessary detail of life. Does anyone else have this problem? It’ll be 2am and I’ll be wide awake making a to-do list in my brain for the next 20 years. It’s like we are so busy in life that we don’t even know how to rest.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Notice the first 2 words of that verse, “be still.” There have been a few days, ok a lot of days, that my oldest son has woke up super early in the morning and crawled into my bed. As a mom, I love when my boys want to spend time with me, cuddle, and just be my little boys for one more day. I know there will be a day that they will be “too cool” for mom time, so for now, I’m going to enjoy every moment of it. On the days that my son crawls into bed with me, I want him to be a little cuddle bug and super sweet, but what I get is a gymnast that just drank a gallon of caffeine. He literally cannot be still (or quiet) with or without caffeine. He never slows down, even when he sleeps. In the hour or two before my alarm goes off, he probably cuts 50 – 100 flips, counts to 1,000, and tells 10 different stories. His little mind is like a carousal that never stops spinning. I love him to death, but “being still” is not in his nature.
I talk about my little boys being wild, never slowing down, and running everywhere they go, but the truth is, adults are just the same. When I wake up, I make my coffee, take a shower, do my hair, get myself ready, run like a wild maniac to get the boys ready, call in search and rescue to find socks and shoes for both kids, chase at least one boy up the stairs trying to get them to eat their breakfast, throw on whatever I can, reheat my coffee because I forgot about it, rush out the door to take the boys to school and daycare, and somehow just somehow make it to the car on time or possibly a few minutes late. Either way, it’s always hectic. It’s like a race every morning and that’s only 1 hour of my day.
God wants you to be in a race daily. He wants you to run like you have a purpose. He wants you to never stop running towards Him.
The problem with today’s society is that we are constantly running a race, but we aren’t running on the right track. As Christians, we are told to make disciples, to serve God, and to love others. How can we do that if we’re too busy? Life is a constant rush, but it’s important to remember what you should be rushing after.
To make it simple, in your daily life, stay focused on Christ.
Don’t let the busyness of the world slow you down or distract you from racing after God.
Serve God with purpose.
Serve God with an urgency to lead others to Christ.
Serve with the thought that today could be your last day on earth.
If you died today, who would you leave behind that doesn’t know Christ? Who were you too busy to slow down and tell about God?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 broken down means:
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”
No one enters a race to just go for a jog. When you are in a race, you run to win. As a Christian, your race is focused on the Father. Make serving Him your goal, your finish line.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
At the finish line of a Christian’s race, is the glory of heaven above. Don’t forget where you are headed, and don’t leave anyone behind.
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Serving takes sacrifice and discipline. In the busyness of this world, there will be days that are hard to slow down and focus on Christ. There will always be something else in your life trying to distract you from serving God. The devil doesn’t want you to have time to follow God’s will for your life. He would much rather distract you with so many other things. Athletes prepare for a race by exercising, training, and conditioning their bodies to adapt to whatever competition they may come up against. As a Christian, prepare yourself for the battles that will come ahead. Read your Bible, serve Him with others, encourage other believers, and serve with purpose.
If you are busy doing God’s work, you won’t have time to get distracted by this world.
Slow down. Stay focused. Serve Him. Never give up.
May God bless you and show you His Grace every day!