June 29, 2018 - - Colossians 3:23 Pace your race

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men...

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Yesterday I was going to jog 5km. Since I have been working on upping the distance I run, I didn't consider 5 kilometers to be too much of a challenge. Boy, was I wrong. I was slower than my usual pace. I kept checking my watch and wondering why the distance seemed so long.

This morning I knew I was going to run 6 km. I needed to focus, be wise with my pace and not get distracted looking at my app to see how much time and what distance was already completed. What a difference that focus made. I ran the 6 km in better time per kilometer than yesterday's 5 km run.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to work each day knowing the challenge that is before us. We are serving the Lord, at work and play, in our recreation and in every part of our lives. If we are not prepared to pace ourselves and focus on Him, the day will be long and we will waver. However, if we know the enemy is against us and even our own thoughts and sinful flesh will betray us, we will look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith and find in Him the strength to carry on and go from victory to victory.

King Jesus, we are Yours, bought at the price of Your precious blood. Give us the grace we need to work this day, in all things, for Your honour and glory. Forgive our casual and callous attitudes which can lead us to falter. Jesus, by Your Spirit motivate us from the inside out so that in all things we work heartily and joyfully for the glory of God in the strength of Your great grace. Amen.