Running in Place

“The peoples exhaust themselves for nothing.”  Jeremiah 51:58

“Exhaust for nothing!”  What a statement!  What a contrast to “they that wait [hope] upon the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings [soar] as eagles, they shall run  and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31  “Run with patience the race set before us.” Hebrews 12:11

In an era of desiring fuel efficiency, energy conservation, and goal-driven life styles, we so often totally miss the mark of God’s Energy Plan—GEP.  We spin our wheels—and accomplish little.  We race from one point to another.  We spend much, sleep little, run hard, eat and go (or eat on the run.)  Our alarms wake us up as if to a life-race buzzer—propelling us forward in the day with too many laps to run, and miles to log.  We live as though in training for the ‘Big Marathon in the Sky,’… all the while hoping (and praying) that our efforts will bring us to the desired end or goal.  But, too often what we end up with is exhaustion, burn-out, and questions.  God has given us His training manual with guaranteed results:

• renewed strength
• soaring high above all
• ability to run and not get weary
• being strong walkers

Waiting (hoping) in the LORD—this state of being has expectancy on God…not ourselves.

Years ago our oldest son (now with the LORD) was a cross country runner, and although not the fastest on the team, he was a dependable ‘constant.’  In his senior year he led his team to a district championship by being the last member on his team to cross the finish line.  That year he was awarded the coveted trophy from his school, “The  Governors Award.”  It wasn’t his speed or stride that won him that recognition, but rather his constant, conscientious contribution as he trained for and ran his final race.  A poster in his room, and two underlined verses in his Bible loudly spoke the message of his motivation:  “The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running,”  and “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Prayer:  Oh LORD, may I wake to the call of worship within—allowing You to ‘set the pace’ for the day.  I don’t want to exhaust myself for nothing.  I don’t want to drag—but soar; not pant and stagger—but run with zeal; not faint—but walk with purpose and intent on reaching and finishing Your goal for each day.  I am Yours.  Please order my steps; pace my stride and keep me focused on Your mission for me today. When I wake, may it be to an awareness of Your call on me for the day..the ‘start and go’ to the race marked out for today by You!  (Hebrews 12:1)

How about you?  What is the motivation for the ‘race’ you find yourself in today? Is it absolutely necessary training, or something you find yourself pressured into accomplishing by trends, culture or self-driven ambition?  Share with us what this looks like in your life today. Get ready, get set, GO!

Nancy