“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV)
When I bought my car it came with an owners manual. In that manual it outlined what maintenance would keep my car running at peak performance. It told me to change the oil every 5000 miles. It told me when I should check and/or replace certain parts. I didn’t read the manual and shout out, “That car manufacturer is so legalistic. All it wants to do is box me in and rob me of all of the joy of owning this car!” That kind of thinking would be foolish. Obviously, the manufacturer is letting me know how to get the longest life out of my care with the best performance. So why do I read the Bible and see God’s performance enhancing regulations any different?
I was created by a Loving, Good Heavenly Father who wants only the best for me. His greatest desire is to lavish me with good gifts. He knows what is best for me and has given me a manual that outlines how to run the race of life successfully. He intends for me to win in every area of my life. I need to settle it in my mind once and for all that doing things His way will set me up for the abundant life that Jesus came to give me.
It is time to read the manual and follow it’s instructions. I would never read in my auto manual that my car runs on gasoline, think that I know better, and fill the tank with water. And yet I have many times read something in my Father’s life manual (Bible) and chosen to do something different than what I read. How foolish to think that I somehow know better than He does.
When I willfully ignore, or choose to disregard, the clear instructions of the Word, I either don’t trust my Father, don’t believe His Word, or think I am smarter than both. Then when my way brings pain into my life I foolishly blame someone else for my troubles. Time to wake up and smell the coffee!
I just need to line up with…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 161: “All of the Lord’s behavioral expectations for me are designed to enable me to run the race of life at peak performance.”