Find Your Race And Run It

FIND YOUR RACE AND RUN IT

"Do 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." 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Every believer is in a race. We may not be aware of it yet, or perhaps the race hasn’t been revealed by God. Nevertheless, there's a specific plan and purpose for every child of God. We're all called to ministry. You may or may not be called to the fivefold ministries. But everyone is a minister. Everyone has been given special gifts, talents, resources and unique assignments. God has given us something special that makes us unique from anyone else in the world. But it is our personal responsibility to discover, discern, and develop it.

In every race, there's a prize. This prize is a reward for running the race and for being faithful to our calling. There's a prize awaiting all those who endured ministerial pain, storms, discouragement and struggles. The prize is a reward for finishing the race God has set out for us.

"to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." 2 Timothy 1:11.

Paul was called and chosen by God for a task. He was to be an apostle, a preacher, and a teacher. He was called to minister to the Gentiles; his assignment was specific. To succeed in that assignment, God equipped him. Every time God calls a man or woman, He equips.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14.

Apostle Paul not only recognized his divine assignment, he also realized that he has not yet arrived at his destination. Every race has a starting point and a finishing line. Every divine assignment has duration. A time to start and a time to end it. Paul had not reached his finish line. Hence, he was determined to finish the race well, regardless of the obstacles. As children of God, we must be able to press on to the finish line, even in the face of persecution.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." Hebrews 12:1. You are not alone! God's with you. Choose to remain steadfast.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.

Paul knew that the end was near. His time on earth was drawing to a close. In spite of that, he had a great hope. Paul knew that he was going to heaven. He knew that he had finished his race well. We should all, at the end of our life's journey and assignments, we have finished the race well.

There's a race prepared for us! Each of us has a God-assigned purpose and lane to run in. My lane isn’t yours. Yours isn’t mine. Therefore, we must stive to discover the specific call and pursue it. And whether your race has just begun, is reaching the midpoint or nearing the finish line, stand upright. You can't give up in the assignment God has called you into. There is a crown at the end.

WHAT IS PURPOSE?

1. Purpose is the original intention of God for creating you.

2. It is what was written in God's book concerning your purpose on earth.

3. Your purpose is the unique plan of God for your life.

4. It is your divine assignment. To carry out this assignment, God has put certain treasures in you.

TWO TYPES OF PURPOSE.

1. General purpose.

Everyone is called to belong to Christ. There's a call for us to repent and come to salvation. A call to sanctification and holy living. A call to make disciples. A call to spend time daily with God.

2. There is an individual, specific or personal purpose:

Your life is not without direction. God's calling you! Sometimes He calls indirectly, through any spiritual authority over you. Sometimes He calls directly, like Paul. Sometimes God calls through dreams, visions and circumstances. Nothing strengthens more than having a clear purpose.

YOU HAVE A RACE; DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE!

We are here for a reason! You may be a part of your parents plan or a product of an unplanned pregnancy, it doesn't matter. We are not here by accident; God created us with a purpose in mind. He had our time on Earth in His mind before we were formed in our mothers' womb. Our purpose was predestined in the mind of God before we came into the world. There's a race for us.