Discovering My Life’s Race—The One God Chose for Me
What is the Desire of God for My Life? From Sunday, November 24, 2024
Yes, it is a marathon! One where God goes before you inspiring you to run!
Key Question:
How do I engage in a spiritual journey to become a fully devoted follower of Christ through running the race God chose for me?
Examples of Laypersons Who Ran Their Race
Doris and George: a lay couple transplanted to New Jersey who helped launch multiple new churches as part of the core group.
Phyllis and Bob: a lay couple who became passionate about church lay renewal events and movements. They traveled and spoke in multiple states throughout the country.
Ward: a layman who used his commercial real estate skills to help provide the land for church planting.
Kay and Ted: a lay couple who as early commuter programmers and database experts for missions work in the days of denominations learning how to use this skill.
Bob Buford, the founder of Leadership Network (for large pastoral churches) and Halftime (for mid-career entrepreneurs like himself to invest their money and time in ministry).
Ken Blanchard the co-auhtor of The One Minute Manager and dozen more books like The Most Loving Place in Town, Raving Fans, Lead Like Jesus. and We Are the Beloved: A Spiritual Journey. He focused his writing and coaching skills on helping people “suit up” in relationship to Jesus.
Thoughts About Your Race:
How much of our lives—its time and efforts—should we dedicate to God and His Church in and through a local congregational community?
When a Christian says they are seeking to run the race of life that God has chosen for them, they are referencing the biblical metaphor of life as a race. This metaphor is found in several places in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul.
This metaphor implies that life is a journey with a specific destination – eternal life with God. The "race" is not a competition against others, but a personal pursuit of spiritual growth and faithfulness to God's will. The "course" of this race is unique to each individual, shaped by their talents, circumstances, and God's specific calling on their life.
To "Run the Race" Means To . . .
Follow God's Plan: Christians believe that God has a unique plan for each person's life. To run the race means to seek to understand and fulfill that plan, even when it's challenging or unclear.
Endure Trials: The race of life is not always easy. It involves facing obstacles, temptations, and suffering. To run the race means to persevere through these difficulties, trusting in God's strength and guidance.
Live a Righteous Life: Christians strive to live according to God's moral standards, which includes loving others, practicing forgiveness, and pursuing justice.
Share the Gospel: Many Christians feel called to share their faith with others and to help others come to know Christ.
Serve Others: Christians are encouraged to serve others, whether through volunteering, giving to charity, or simply acts of kindness.
Ultimately, the goal of running the race of life is to finish strong and receive the prize of eternal life. This race is not about human effort alone, but about relying on God's grace and power to complete the journey.
Discovering My Life’s Race—The One God Chose for Me
Here are some Bible references that support this concept:
Leviticus 25:1-12 suggests a pattern of life for individuals, families, congregations, organizations, nations, etc. This involves a series of sabbaticals and a jubilee.
Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
1 Corinthians 9:24-27: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we for an imperishable. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. I fight thus: not as beating the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
Philippians 3:13-14: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Acts 2:42-47 records the activities of the new community coming together. An extended family. Some scholars even see these gatherings as an innovative expression of the new temple. The gathered new creation as they then scattered to serve and tell the Good News.
These verses emphasize the need for perseverance, focus on Jesus, and a commitment to living a godly life. They also highlight the ultimate goal of the race: eternal life with God.
By understanding the biblical metaphor of the race of life, Christians can gain a deeper appreciation for their spiritual journey and be motivated to run with endurance toward the finish line.
Great article!