Uncommen: Start at the FinishSample

Running With Purpose

“Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly;” 1st Corinthians 9:26

I ran a ½ marathon about a decade ago and remembered getting ready for it. A few weeks before the race, I looked at the map and drove it to familiarize myself with the course route. It gave me an idea of what the course was like, such as elevation changes (aka hills), landmarks, etc. This pre-race reconnoiter served me well as the last two miles had one killer hill, and I could make sure I had a little gas left in the tank before I tackled it. I was prepared for it.

What if the race organizers just sent out the starting and finishing lines and said you needed to figure out where the course was and its path and obstacles yourself? I would have spent much longer finishing because I had to determine the correct path without the course markers or the map. Talk about running aimlessly.

I look back at my life and think about all the times I had no map, course markers, or directions. I was unprepared and running aimlessly. Without preparation, can we be ready for what life holds – marriage, kids, financial disasters, or worldwide issues like COVID? Wouldn’t it be great if we could look ahead at our marriage and find out what we could do now to avoid or ensure future events? What if we could see our kids in 35 years?

Scripture uses a variation of the word running throughout the Bible. I would imagine that given there was not a lot of transportation back then, maybe a few donkeys or oxen, your feet were what you used, and you better have an idea of where you were headed and the best way to get there!

It doesn’t mean that the walk will be easy; as I ran with many hills on the course, our walk with Jesus will not be easy. However, our lives will be much more complicated if we ignore Scripture and try to find the path to the finish line with no help!

Today, take time to think about Paul’s words, “Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly;” 1st Corinthians 9:26.

Uncommen Questions:
Are you running aimlessly?
What influences or situations in your life might be causing this?

Uncommen Challenge:
Write down how you feel like you are running nowhere. Then, write down what you think maybe causing this. We will use this in the coming days to develop a plan on how we can best run God’s race and win.