In any athletics competition there are various types of race to be competed for by the competitors. Like 100 meters, 200 meters up to miles or marathon. Any race that have a beginning surely will have an end, but in any competition all the competitors will have the aim of winning.
Encored, not all that took part will become winner, but surely there must be winners and losers, even some may not end the race and some may even be disqualified.
The race may be both the individual and the group’s competitions but at end a winner or winners is to be produced. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24a).
Therefore, the door for the year 2018 will soon be opened and the race of life will begin again for those who obtain the God’s grace to enter it. Be happy if you are counted to be among of the living soul, but know that it’s not your power or wisdom but the wonderful work of Almighty God, because “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength” (Psalm 33:16), (Zechariah 4:6).
Why I say the race is short and long, we all aware that there are 365 days or 52 weeks or 12 months in this year and its starts with 1st day of January and ends with 31st the last day of December. Having understood this, our days is also numbered, some people may end their lives in January, while some may end it in the middle and some may even spend many years are head.
A qualified athlete know that to win any competition he/she need a vigorous and commitment practice, also need to put on the spirit of sportsmanship. This will allow the person to follow rules and regulations of the race or competition, therefore, he or she need to prepare for any eventuality that may encounter or experience during the competition. At the end he/she will be contented with the outcome of the race because of the spirit of sportsmanship.
Do not let us be the ignorance of what the Bible says about the life because anybody that running a race without understanding the rules and regulation is an ignorance, therefore, the person is already a looser.
The Bible says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1a) Our Lord Jesus Christ also says in John 16:33b, “... In this world you will have trouble” and Genesis 3:17-19 “To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” With these it mean that we are living in imperfect world.
Obviously, in the year 2018 everybody is expecting or hoping for peace, joy and happiness even praying for them. Either you are Christian or not you should be aware that there are the troubles are head. During the race, as from the January to December, new babies will born, people die, people will get new jobs, people lose their jobs, and therefore there will be period of happiness and the sadness.
Who are those people that will be contented and be successful in running the race? They are the people who turn to the book of life (the Holy Bible) to look Gods guidance. Joshua 1:7 "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” By then they will understand to run the race by putting their hope in the hand of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who had insured our lives with His blood. He gave us assurance that He is always with us in all seasons or situation of our lives; John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Before you do anything commit it to the hand of God for His direction, its result will give you peace and happiness. Proverbs 3:6, “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success”
Those who really believes God, known that His plan for us is not only for the year 2018, He had also planned for our future which is eternal life. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Though we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses because of our sinful life, but if we throw off everything that hinders and the sin that are enslaved us and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, He will restore us then we will be perseverance in running the with the heart of a contentment.
Furthermore, In the year 2018, let us work in love and in good relationship with God, with others and with ourselves, so that will can be partake in all His promises; when says; “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (1saiah 43:1d-2).
I use this opportunity to appear to those who are not yet received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to do so, surrender themselves and turn to Him; The should understand that “the race is short and long. Time is not wait for anybody, because there is no happiness in this world on less we walk with the Lord. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” C. A. C. Gospel HYMN Book 809.
THE RACE IS SHORT AND LONG, RUN IT WITH HEART OF A CONTENTMENT is written Pastor by JOSEPH A. Matthew,
Christ Apostolic Church, France