Running the Race—Part 10: Equipped

People who are serious about running are usually serious about what they wear. For instance, running shirts may have special ventilation and materials designed to “wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable,” according to the Nike website. Many will wear tight fitting clothes to reduce wind resistance. Their shoes have to be ultra light with good support and traction. A person who wants to win a big race will do what ever they can to give themselves a competitive edge.

As we run the race of life, we also need the right “clothing.” Now, I’m not talking about fashion or even comfort … I’m talking about function. And, no, I’m not talking about your favorite shirt or that pair of jeans. What I am talking about is the armor of God, with which every Christian needs to be equipped at all times:

Ephesians 6:13-17 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

Just as we put on our clothes every morning, we also need to put on the armor of God every day. Each piece serves a function vital for keeping us spiritually alive. Satan is always on the attack, surrounding us with temptations. So, today, I encourage you to run the race equipped with the armor of God, so you are able to “stand firm,” advance the cause of Christ, and press on toward the prize!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Running the Race—Part 9: Focus

I’m not much of a runner, but I do walk (from time to time) for exercise. When I walk for exercise, I am pretty focused … I may wave at someone I see along the way, but I usually keep going. However, if AJ and Wes are with me, they tend to get distracted. They like to check the apple trees along the road to see if anything is growing. They are observant, taking everything in, and often stopping to take a look along the way.

Now, I am not saying that we shouldn’t “stop and smell the roses” from time to time. What I am saying is that “running the race” successfully takes focus. I’m reminded of a commercial for a certain beverage: Two brothers enter a tandem bike race through the Alps, pull out a picture of their father, and say, “for papa.” They are in the lead when a nail punctures a tire. One brother starts making a repair, when the other gets distracted by a drink being poured. The second brother then “applies” the nail to the other tire, and their race is over. As they get their beverage, they notice a picture of their father who had apparently also been distracted during a race, and you see the rest of the racers go by in the distance. But, because they were distracted, they didn’t even notice … and, at this time, they didn’t even care.

As we run the race of life, we may get distracted from time to time. Fact is, the world, and the devil, constantly throw distractions our way. The question is, are we going to get off-track, or even worse, abandon the race? I hope and pray not! 1 Corinthians 9:24 speaks of running to obtain the prize. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Doing that takes focus.

So, today, I remind you to stay in the race, or “keep your head in the game,” and don’t let the world distract you. Remember the mission God has given you: to share the Gospel and make disciples, so that in the end, you hear “well done, good and faithful servant!”

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Running the Race—Part 8: Hope

I began this “Running the Race” series by looking at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and I would like to revisit verse 24 today: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

All the runners run, but only one receives the prize. While some may run for the joy of running, I think most run with the hope that they could win the prize. However, at some point in the race, many runners will figure out that they are not going to come in first. Some will give up (give up hope) and drop out of the race. However, most will continue. Perhaps their motivation will be to finish with their personal best time … or just to finish the race.

In the race of life, I think we all “run” pursuing some goal or “prize.” Sometimes, that goal will be out of reach … at least for a time. The question is, how will we handle that realization? Will we give up … and give up hope? If we do that, we will find the race of life a drudgery, or something that we have to endure. There’s no joy in that.

On the other hand we may find a different goal and strive after that. Or, perhaps, we will keep working toward our original goal and see it as a long-term goal, realizing that God’s timing is often different than ours. Far too often, we get caught up in our current predicaments and fail to look to the future. Things that seem like mountains now will often look more like molehills when we are looking back.

So, what is today’s advice for running the race? Don’t give up hope! Keep pressing on! I think you will find some encouragement in the following verses: Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 1:18; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 6:11-12. And, finally,

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker