Nothing that is good in life is easy.  Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would do whatever it took to accomplish it?  For me, what comes to mind is my degree – my education.  I would have done anything!  In fact, I did!  I had four children, a husband that traveled, a full-time job, and went to school full-time.  I went to classes on the weekends, the evenings and early mornings.  I did whatever it took to complete my degree.  But, it took discipline!  Every second and minute was planned so that I could complete what was required of me – not just as a student, but also as an employee, a mother, and a wife.  And, believe me, there were some ‘really’ difficult days in which, I wanted to give up!

St. Paul is talking to the Corinth Church about discipline (1 Corinthians 9:19-27).  He gives the example of one who trains for a marathon with the intention of winning.  They do it for a gold medal!  But, it takes hard work, focus, and discipline.  That’s how we are to live our lives for Christ – running as hard as we can for the finish line, giving it all that we got for the sake of Christ.  However, here is the thing…Gold medals will tarnish and eventually have no real meaning.  But, our lives for Christ will be remembered and rewarded eternally!

Begin today to prioritize your life for running a race to the finish line for the sake of Christ.  What do you need to change?  How do you need to act and behave?  Who might you help or serve?  How will you spend your time?

Let us pray…Lord Jesus, we love you so much.  Help us to be all about you!  Show us how our lives are to glorify you!  Give us discipline to run the race with the intention of winning so that we don’t miss out on the joy that you intend for us.  In your name we pray, Amen.