Running the Race (2)
…Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24, LEB
I went to Texas to help my sister after she had surgery. I planned to stay a week and help her get back on her feet. When I arrived, I asked her to take me to Trader Joe’s so that I could prepare some meals for the week. I purchased the items and came to her home and immediately started cooking. I prepared several different kinds of meals that would last us into the second and possibly third week of her recovery.
I helped clean up her paperwork and get things organized. When it came time to head to the hospital, I took her there and waited until after her surgery to receive the update. I went into her recovery room and sat with her, making sure she was getting great care. I left about an hour before the visiting hours were over and returned the following morning to sit with her and make sure she was okay. I brought my laptop to the hospital so that when she was sleeping I could get some other work done. I actually thought that I was doing a great job taking care of my sister until God showed that I was in the race but was not winning.
My focus was off. See, I was focused on getting my sister taken care of so while she was recovering, I could work on things I wanted to get accomplished. God showed me that I was in the race for Him but was not moving to win the prize. He showed me that to be in the race and win there were other things I could do. My sister had a stack of clothes she had wanted to iron. She wanted her freezer cleaned out so she could freeze some of the food I had cooked for a later. She wanted to make these pumpkin thank-you bags to give to each one of the staff at the hospital who helped her.
Early one morning the Holy Spirit woke me up. While I was sitting in bed writing, the He asked me if I was going to win the race. He then started to show me how I was on my computer while there were things I could be doing that would keep me focused on winning the race. He reminded me that I could make the thank-you bags for my sister and take them to the hospital so she would have them to give out. He reminded me of the ironing that needed to be done and freezer that needed to be cleaned. Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth to run in such a way that you might win. A winner always goes the extra mile and puts in the extra time. They are always making a personal sacrifice for the goal. God was reminding me that He had called me to be His hands and feet for my sister and I needed to serve as it is done in heaven on earth. I need to be focused on what He had put in front of me because my race at that moment was my sister and her needs, not what I wanted to accomplish in my writing.
No matter how small the assignment we must remember that we are serving ELOHIM. He expects us to give our all in every task that is presented to us. In our society we used the term multi-tasking but when we are multi-tasking, we cannot give all of our attention to the assignment in front of us. Yeshua did not multi-task in His assignment while He was on earth, and He expects us to do the same.
Father, thank you for the reminder that what you put in front of us is what you want us to focus on. There are so many cares in this world, and we can get distracted from the task in front of us. We ask for your help to stay focused as scripture says. You have given us a spirit of power, love and disciplined mind! Hallelujah! To you be glory and praise. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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