It is typical for us to get very involved in sports or jobs or competitive activities and get excited about winning. In fact, those who put forth tremendous amounts of energy and focus are praised for their dedication. Often, they are praised for their dedication without regard for what else has suffered in their life as a result. Consider a very good swimmer who puts forth so much time and effort to compete in a university athletics program that he fails to graduate with a degree and restarts with a new try at a fresh degree after four years. He was dedicated to swimming, but was that the best thing to be dedicated to?
Consider also the Olympian who has traded in their life for competing in a sport, but invests not in their family or relationship with YHWH. They may win gold and at the same time have lost the greater race.
We should take care to focus on serving the Father and sharing the gospel with others. Run this race as if to win. Dedication here is truly a virtue and the prize at the end is not perishable, but everlasting.
24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas where you are putting an inappropriate amount of time and energy, of “dedication”, that is actually distracting you from what is truly important. It may not be a competition or sport. It may be your job. Don’t let anything keep you from investing time in your relationship with the Father and in sharing the good news of the gospel with others. Run that race as if to win. Spend time listening to God as He shows you where you need to make some changes in your life.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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