Do Not Believe with Leftovers

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

We are so busy with work, family, and other obligations, our faith becomes an afterthought. It becomes something we think about or do after we are done with everything else. It becomes something to do once a week or when there is time left in the day. It becomes a light hobby or a social function. We serve God after giving our best intelligence, our greatest effort, and all our attention to worldly matters. We believe in God with whatever leftovers we can scrape together. And often, we are so spent, distracted, and exhausted, we have nothing left in the tank for God.

When we run the race “all run,” we must run with everything we have. We must pour our hearts, mind, body, and spirit into this race. We must be diligent and industrious. We don’t run this race with whatever leftover energy we have- we run it with all that we have as if our lives depend on it!

Where is the finish line for this race? Where are we headed? We race to become one with God. We race to become one with Truth and the Holy Spirit. This is our race! We don’t race to become the richest or the most powerful. Our race is to run with everything we have to be like God. God is our ultimate role model, and we strive to be like Him in all regards. Of course, we can never be God, but we can be godly in our ways, how we act, talk, and think. There are no regrets in life if we run this race to become godly in all aspects of our lives.

Now, how do we win this race? Do we carry baggage and bog ourselves down with unnecessary weight? Do we saunter along and skip to the finish line? No! We get rid of needless belongings that will slow us down. Have you seen people running out of a building on fire? That’s the urgency we should have when running in this race! When running to become one with God, we must eliminate excess baggage that will slow us down. We must add and bolster things that will make us run faster. Everything we do must be tailored toward winning the race, which is to become like God in every way.

Like an athlete competing to win a competition, we must train ourselves. To win this race, we must exhibit self-control. “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.” We must exhibit self-control in how we sleep, eat, play, and work. If we are reckless and out of control in any aspect of our lives, it will slow us down in this race. It will impede us from our ultimate objective of becoming one with God. Designate a sleeping time and stick to it. Do the same for your eating and exercise plans. When it comes to reading the Bible, praying, and going to church, make a plan and stick to it without wavering. Show self-control and discipline in all regards to run the race effectively and to win.

Do not believe with leftovers! Do not come to God after giving your best to your job, family, and your own personal pleasures. Put the best version of yourself forward when running this race to become one with God. Shape and mold yourself to be the fastest runner in this race. Cut things out that will slow you down! Add things that will speed you up! And show self-control in all matters because this is the only race that counts. Our race to become one with God and Truth, to resemble Him, is our only true task in life. Do not run aimlessly or “box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air.” Run with purpose. Run with self-control. And run to win the race.

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