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.
Unfortunately, some people die without discovering their life's purpose. Some discovered theirs but die without fulfilling it. It has been rightly said, "when the purpose of a thing is not known abuse is inevitable." We must strive to find and discover our purpose. Seek and you will find it.
HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE?
1. You must have an encounter.
An encounter with God transform us. It give us purpose and direction. Moses encountered God and his life was never the same again. Saul, who later became Paul, encountered God and his life changed for the best. Encountering God means spending time with Him. It is to allow the Holy Spirit to fill and reveal truth to us. Come to God today! Encounter Him daily.
2. Study the Scripture.
God has not stopped speaking to us through the written Word. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Word brings light to paths that otherwise seem dark.
3. Through observation by others of trends, patterns, passions or interests.
Your potentials will help you to connects with people who will help you find your purpose. Ask them if they have recognized any of your gifts.
4. What are you passionate about? What are your burdens?
What are you concerned or excited about? The problem that upsets you is a hint to the solution you are to offer. You are sent here to solve a problem.
What is passion? Passion is desire! It is yearning to make a difference. Passion is longing. This longing is like a magnet that attracts us into our purpose. Passion is a driving force. It makes life worth living. Passion compels you to do something. It forces you to get out of our comfort zone.
5. Go to God in prayer.
Ask Him and expect to receive it. Seek and you will find. Begin by asking God to show you His plans. You might not get the whole picture at once. But as you open your heart to Him, little by little, He will reveal it to you. Ask for divine direction. Ask for courage in the face of despair.
6. Be sensitive to divine revelation.
i. Vision.
ii. Dreams.
C. Prophecy.
7. Watch out for divine endowment.
These spiritual gifts are the gifts we received when we were empowered by the Holy Spirit at salvation. Identifying these talents and spiritual gifts is essential to finding your purpose.
8. Your experience or testimony.
The painful experience you've gone through can be a key to discovering your purpose.
God can reveal your purpose in an instant, but the process can take longer! Waiting on God is a proof of trust. As you wait, use the waiting period to develop, train, prepare, and grow.
STAY IN YOUR LANE!
Lanes are important in defining an exact path and distance for every runner. They ensure safety. Hence, it is good that we learn to stay in our own lane. There's a specific lane or pathway for us to follow. It is not the same as other’s. Each lane is specifically marked with boundary lines so that we know the path to follow. The lane may have deep valley or slippery hills. Your pathway may have long and rough road, or the lane may be narrow and bumpy. You must remain in your lane!
Sometimes we look at someone else's garden and believe "the grass is greener on the other side." We envy and develop interest in someone else’s lane. We get distracted in our own race. Discouragement, conflict and confusion crawl in. Before long, it is hard to run our race! When you compares, you block the clarity of God’s call. When we compare ourselves to others, we may conclude we are failures. When we compare ourselves, we become distressed, discouraged, and depressed. God doesn't want us to compare ourselves to others. He gave us a unique and different lane. Don't be a duplicate! Water your garden! Blossom where you are called.
Instead of longing for a 'greener garden,' press in deeper to the assignment God has called you into.
1. Do not allow the events and circumstances of life to distract you from your lane.
Maintain your focus. Do not allow the devil to break your focus off your God-given assignment. Stop the satanic agenda of giving you another assignment (a diversion tactic), that is different from the one God gave you. Stay on your lane. 2 Timothy 4:9-10. Keep your eyes on the prize.
2. You must not compromise your stand. Abstain from every form or appearance of evil.
3. Understand your boundary and spiritual authority. Don’t step into another man’s lane.
4 Avoid laziness and procrastination. Proverbs 22:29.
5. Build up your faith daily. Faith connects you to the supernatural. Resist doubt and fear.
6. Eliminate pride in all areas of your life. James 4:6. God gives grace to the humble.
7. Intensify your prayer.
Satan hates the completion of your assignment. He has a threefold strategy as you run your race. First, he will try to tempt you to quit running or get off the track. But if you fall for his temptation, then he will trip you and make you fall flat on your face. If you stay in that position, he will trap you where you won't get up and run anymore. Engage in spiritual warfare. Have a special place for effective daily prayer. Add fasting to your prayer. Pray in the Spirit. You shall overcome.
8. Drop anything that will hinder you from reaching the finishing line. Isaiah 43:18-19.
9. Seek for divine wisdom. James 1:5.
10. Learn to manage stress, conflict and crisis.
See the crown and the reward that is beyond the crisis.
11. Keep praising and giving thanks.
Beloved, isn't it time you get in your lane and stay there? Fix your eyes on God. Focus on your purpose and make up your mind to endure until the end. The race is not over. Run with all of your might. Run through the storms. Run through the hurt and betrayal. The Lord Jesus will heal your wounded soul. Run for the crown. Don't quit. Don't be discourage. Keep going. If you have messed up, come to God. Don't stay down. Proverbs 24:16. It's time to get back up and keep going. Don't give up! God hasn't given up on you. You can finish the race. You can bring home the gold.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Dear God, I confess my sins and ask for forgiveness, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, let me be filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding, in Jesus name.
3. O God, make me be fruitful in every good work, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, perfect what is lacking in my faith, in Jesus name.
5. Father, enrich me in all utterance and knowledge, in Jesus name.
6. I take the shield of faith to quench every fiery dart of the enemy, in Jesus name.
7. I receive the anointing to remain committed and consistent in ministry, in Jesus name.
8. Power for effective development in my calling; come upon me now, in Jesus name.
9. O Lord, strengthen me till the end, in Jesus name.
10. Thank God for answering your prayers.
