Hobble or RUN?

At the showdown with the prophets of the false god Baal, Elijah challenge the people with the question “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. (1 Kings 18:21).

In contrast, Paul challenged believers to run the race to win (1 Cor 9:24) and “with purpose in every step” (9:26). Quite a difference between God’s people hobbling along and running a race to win!

The race is the Christian life. And unfortunately, there are some days I’m hobbling or limping along rather than running to win.  Instead of focusing on the finish line ahead of me, I’m looking left, right, and behind. Trials and troubles come, my commitment wanes and I am tempted to give up.

When I was in the 7th grade, I had a brief stint on the track team. For the life of me, I don’t know why I thought ?‍♀️ running track was a good idea. Our first meet, there weren’t enough runners for the 880 and the coach threw me in the pack.  I hadn’t trained for that distance and I’m pretty sure I had a near death experience. I did finish (4th out of 8 runners!) but along with the near death experience, my enthusiam and commitment to track died and that was end of my career.

To run the race God sets before us requires commitment to finish and proper training. Daily time in His Word and prayer, worship, and confession of sin to remove the obstacles in our way are part of the training regimen. Depending on God for strength and keeping our ? eyes on Jesus during the trials and troubles will enable us to persevere and run with purpose rather than hobble or limp along.

My 7th grade track coach never said a word to me after that infamous race. A “well done” or a ? “thumbs up” would have been encouraging. But no words, just silence. How different from the words my Father will speak to me when I reach my home in heaven. If I run the race to win, with perseverance and commitment, I will be sure to hear the words “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

Now that’s a reason to RUN!!

©2017 Robin R King