Ready:
"Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified." -1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Set:
In 2021 two marathon front runners lost out on winning their race when a volunteer mistakenly led them off the route. The two Kenyans were disqualified. An American, just behind them, saw their mistake and made sure to stick to the correct path, leading him to becoming the first US runner since 2001 to win the race.
You’ve heard it said that being a Christ follower is like running a marathon, not a sprint. The fact is everyone in life is running in a certain direction. We start out running from God. Our sin nature separates us from God. We want to do life our own way. We run to life’s pleasures, chasing our goals and our glory. Essentially, we take a wrong turn and end up disqualified.
But God has a better plan and a better direction for our lives. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we begin to run to Him, the Divine Direction. We get to know Him by seeking Him first in everything we do and spending time in His presence every day. When we follow Jesus, we stay on course in life, and we bear fruit for His kingdom and bring Him glory.
We begin to run with Him. Remember that time when you first met Jesus and surrendered your life to Him. You couldn’t get enough of Him, spending time with Him, in His Word and in fellowship with other believers. We align our agenda and our will with His.
As He continues to sanctify us, we begin to run for Him, using our time, talents and treasures to serve Him and His greater purpose. He divinely directs our paths and makes our joy complete.
He is pursuing you, even now. Psalm 23 is a beautiful example of how God is watching over us and caring for us like a Shepherd over his flock. It concludes with this assurance that He is running after us, “Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”
Go:
Take a careful look at your life. What are you running after?
Are you seeking God’s divine direction for your life?
Pause for a moment and reflect on how God is running after you and thank Him.
Workout:
Overtime:
"Father, sometimes we get caught up running after the wrong things in life. Forgive us. By the power of your Holy Spirit, let us run to You, for You and with You. Thank you for Your divine direction in our lives and for lovingly running after us day after day. Amen."