The Voice of Destiny

Running the Race

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.²⁵And everyone who competes for 

the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one 

who beats the air. ²⁷But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I was reading this scripture this morning thinking about the race that God calls us to run.  I know that Paul is writing to the Corinthians concerning their personal conduct and how it must reflect Christ if we are to finish the race without being disqualified at the end.  

What I think we fail to understand is how we begin the race!  When we enter this "God race", we become part of a different race all together.  Here "race" means a group of people who are related by common descent or heredity. This is vital for us to understand because the rules to running the race are different for the "God race" than they are for the "human race."

I hope you are getting my drift.  There are so many who are trying to run this race that Paul is speaking about, but they are running by the wrong rules.  How frustrating when you can't seem to keep the rules to win the race.  The "God race" rules are pretty simple and they never change.  Love God with all your heart and love one another.  Love is what got you into the race, will enable you to run the race and is the only qualifier for finishing the race!

As I look at what is happening in the "God race" during my lifetime I could easily get discouraged.  Then I go to the rule book and realize what is really important is am I running according to the rules of the "God race" or am I allowing the human race to disqualify me?

Keep your eyes on the prize - Jesus Christ and you will finish with Amazing Grace!

The Father

I know Father's Day may have past, but the more I contemplate the Father/Son relationship the easier it is to see our issues in society as well as in the church.  I heard recently that 79 percent of all single parented homes are led by women.  Only 10 percent by men.  We have a society that is largely without the guidance of a strong male role model.  This is not at all to degrade the importance of mothers or women.  It is more to say, "Where are the men?"

Then we look at how the modern day church has profiled Jesus Christ as being very gentle, almost feminine and we wonder why a younger generation hooked on super hero movies is not interested in God.  The very thing they crave, a relationship with a father figure is not being presented to them.  In fact the very reason why Christ died on the Cross was so that we could reestablish a relationship with the Father!

While much of the church tries to get people saved, the same people especially the youth are playing where in the world is dad!  Please help me to find a real male role model.  So they run after movie stars and athletes only to be disappointed by these role models to live up to their responsibility.  The church is failing this generation because the Father is desperately seeking them!  God's greatest desire is to be united in relationship with you.  That you might know him as Father!  Out of this relationship flows everything in life.  Just look at Jesus and you will see the Father doting on the Son.  The Son always watching the Father from which come miracles, signs and wonders, but most important the Son's identity and purpose!

Father's Day may have passed, but God is still waiting to share His life with you.  You won't be disappointed!  The gift He wants is simply YOU!