Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:26, NLT- “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”
The Apostle Paul had a way of cutting through all the demands of life to focus on purpose. He gave us a sense of urgency to pursue our purposes in every step. In 1 Corinthians 9:16 Paul stated “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (NIV)
We are not all compelled to preach the gospel but woe to us who get lost in the rat-race of life. Paul challenges us in 1 Corinthians 9:24 “ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (NIV)
We are all running somewhere. Some of us run away and some of us run towards. Some of the most miserable days in my life were when I was attempting to run someone else’s race. We can always see it around us, people running a race we could care less about. Even winning the races we were not created to run makes the prizes seem worthless.
For some of us it takes most of our lives before we realize what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 9:25 refers, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” (NLT) All of us should run for eternal prizes regardless of our race.
Paul warns us against running aimlessly, without certainty, and without purpose depending on the translation of 1 Corinthians 9:26. At 65 years of age I now recognize how fast life passes us by. There are seasons of our lives where we lose sight of eternal prizes and get lost in races and prizes that are not eternal or even our races to run.
God’s Word and His Spirit will compel us to our purpose. We must only be careful to run in His direction. When we run with purpose, we will not lose our way like those who were scattered in the wilderness. As 1 Corinthians 10:6 instructs us, “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” (NIV)
From those in the desert with Moses to us today, 1 Corinthians 10:13 still applies “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:21 guides us in setting our goals and priorities, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” (NKJV) We must always remember 1 Corinthians 10:23, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:24 helps identify our steps and our purposes “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (NIV) As well as 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (NKJV)
We have different races to run in this life but if we are in line with God’s Word, we seek the good of others, and do all to glorify God, we will be taking the right steps. Let us run towards His prize!
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your commands that guide us and Your Holy Spirit that compels us. Please, LORD, help us run the race that you have charted for each of us. I need Your help LORD to run each step of my life with Your purpose for me. Help me LORD to spread the Gospel of Christ. Amen.
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