Teachable Moments: The Race

Over the last two months the Lord has been teaching me a lot. Today I wanted to take the time to share with you what I have been learning.

First, God has been reminding me to trust him. For some reason, it is just so easy to worry about the future. In my worries and wanderings of what life will bring my way, God has called me to trust him. To let him guide me even though I can't see where I'm going. This has been a challenge in some moments but I have to say that life has been better since I have been reminded to put my trust in God. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Second, God has asked me to get rid of all of the stumbling blocks in my path so that I can live life unhindered by the entanglements of sin.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

I haven't quite figured out what this means for me yet, but it's in progress.

Third, God wants me to fix my eyes on Him. In other words, to put my focus on Him on a daily basis. This is also a work in progress, but it is getting easier. I'm finding that the more time I spend with God, the better I feel about my day and everything going on in my life because I know God's in control, he's got my back. 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

Galatians 5:6-8

I certainly don't have life all figured out, but I do know one thing. God is here to help us win the race. So let's heed his training, and run forward. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:28-29