Running God’s Race and Not the Rat Race

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a

roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I Peter 5:8

 

Finishing the fight demands, not only a recognition that the enemy is real

but also, that I remain self-controlled and alert at all times.

In other words, focus on the task at hand.

Keep your eye on the ball.

 Keep your eye on the prize.

Keep your head in the game.

These are all sentiments used to express the need to persevere and remain standing, not only through the ebb and flow of life but also, when the enemy throws everything he has against us. Certainly one of the tools used to keep us from finishing well (or at all) is distraction.    

Imagine an Olympic sprinter who – in the midst of the race – slows to locate and then wave to a friend in the stadium. You would rightly question his commitment to winning or, at the least, putting in his best effort in the competition.

Yet, we do it all the time.

We say we want to finish well the race set out before us and

we’ll certainly get to it right after our favorite TV show is through.

We declare our faithfulness to God but then say: “Understand, I am committed to this sports program for my child so God will understand being second fiddle.” 

We plead with God to use us more and bless our lives but then blast the store clerk who wasn’t quick enough for our taste in the check-out line.

Distractions are used to blur our focus, not to sharpen it.

They detour, block or stop our running of the race.

Sometimes we don’t even realize we have left “God’s course” and have entered the “rat race”.

Be alert. Be sober. Be vigilant. Be self-controlled and disciplined.

Persevere in the race.

Use the opportunities that all of the “would-be distractions” present to sharpen your focus.

Keep your eyes on Christ and you will finish well.