GRACE TO RACEHebrew 12

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Life is a journey and the journey of life requires race to get to the end of the mark; the expected end. The race of life is not about how fast you get to the end mark, but it is all about getting through to the end of the race. Ecclesiastes 9:11 put it better, ÒThe race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor the bread to the wise, nor the riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.Ó  There is no clearer way to picture what the race can be compared to than Ecclesiastes 9:11. The race of life is not about how long you have been running it, but rather it is about how well you have been running it. The race of life is not about how often you have fallen and were able to get back on track instead of getting out of track. The race of life is not about what the weather will do to affect your going, but it is about how you are weathering through. It is absolutely certain that so many are in the race, but not all will get to the end of the race accordingly. That is not all will receive the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24, ÒDo 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.Ó How are you running the race? It is important to know that keeping track of how you are running will keep you focus from crossing off track in the race of life because some are running, but they are running off the track. 1 Corinthians 9:25, ÒAnd 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.Ó Running off the track will no doubt win a perishable crown, but running by exercising restraint will bring forth the winning of an imperishable crown. This race that we are running requires endurance; not energy. Neither does it require strength but rather the Spirit of God.  Continuity is the rule of the race while a purposeful heart is the official of the race. An advice about running the race is written in Hebrew 12:1, ÒTherefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.Ó The race is a war that has to be fought every day by the grace of our Lord and Savior. As you run, are you taking time out to check if you are still on track in the race of life? It is a serious matter because the Apostle Paul made us to see clearly that it is a war when he said in 2 Timothy 4:7, ÒI have fought the good fight, I have finish the race, I have kept the faith.Ó What will you say about how you have run the race when it is the time to cross over the line for prize? Ask for grace to run the race.