In 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 I read, “An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win.” (TLB)
The right dream focuses my energy. And I could use more focused energy. Nowadays, thIs focus seems harder and harder to find.
I’ve learned that I can’t do everything. But not everything is worth doing; some things are more important than others. God doesn’t expect me to do everything. So I shouldn’t expect myself to be able to do so.
Smart selection is key. I have to decide what matters and what doesn’t, what dream is worth my life and what dream is not worth one second of life.
I admit, I’ve dreamed about being famous, significant, the best in the world at something, or very rich.
What I’m learning is that those dreams are not worth a moment of my life, because they are fleeting. One minute I could be a hero, and the next minute, I’m a zero. One minute I’m on the cover of some magazine, and the next week it’s in the trash.
Going after trophies is a foolish goal. Why? Because, given enough time, all my trophies are going to be thrown away by someone in this generation or the next.
I shouldn’t live my life for trophies and world records and fame. Those are not big enough dreams!
I need a dream that impacts eternity. That kind of dream focuses my energy and helps me endure.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:25-26, “An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win” (TLB).
When I choose God’s dream for my life, I become purpose driven. I’m not like a boxer practicing by punching the air. When I punch, I do it to score. I shouldn’t just be playing around with my life.
God’s dream focuses my energy so that I can run straight to the goal he has set for me. When I run with that kind of effort, I won’t waste a second of my life.
In summary, the right dream will focus my energy. I’ve learned that I can’t do everything. But not everything is worth doing. God doesn’t expect me to do everything. Smart selection is key. I have to decide what matters and what doesn’t, what dream is worth my life and what dream is not. In the past I’ve dreamed about being famous, significant, the best, or very rich. Those dreams are not worth it, because they are fleeting. One minute I could be a hero, and the next, I’m a zero. Going after trophies is a foolish goal. Given enough time, all my trophies are going to be thrown away by someone. So I shouldn’t live my life for trophies and world records and fame. I need a dream that impacts eternity. That kind of dream focuses my energy and helps me endure. I do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. When I choose God’s dream for my life, I become purpose driven. God’s dream focuses my energy so that I can run straight to the goal he has set for me..
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Walking with and obeying Christ takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. Don't merely observe from the grandstand; don't just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Rather learn to train diligently, as my spiritual progress depends on it. Self-discipline requires me to take an honest look at my strengths and weaknesses with an emphasis on the latter. It means building the will to say no when a powerful appetite inside me screams yes. When I have self-discipline I can say no to friends or situations that would lead me away from Christ, or say no to laziness in favor of "can do" and "will do." Self-discipline is a long, steady course in learning attitudes that do not come naturally, and channeling natural appetites towards God's purposes. So, like an athlete who is disciplined in their training, I too must run with purpose in every step. I shouldn’t just observe, or make half-hearted attempts, rather learn to train diligently. Every step must be done with purpose. Make every step count.
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