Running the Race is a Little Overwhelming Sometimes

For several years I have written and designed Bible Lessons for children.  I have a drawer full of lessons, and notes for lessons.

I am passionate about it. . .messages I hear, songs I listen to, news stories. . .so many things trigger that automatic thought. . .I gotta write that down. . .that would make a great lesson.

Not only am I passionate about writing the lessons, but my heart also grieves for burned out, overwhelmed, under appreciated Children’s Ministry Workers. . .who are doing the very best they know how. . .and yet are left to feel that their efforts always fall a little short. . .so, when we knew were going to travel full time, my eventual goal was to be able to offer encouragement to Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry Workers along the way.

That is the goal. . .and the desire. . .and yet, when I would begin to work on the plan (read organizing stacks of lessons and notes into some type of order) I would feel so overwhelmed, I would just close the drawer and move on to an easier project. . .

and then, in my morning Bible Study, I read. . .

Hebrews 12:1 let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us.

PATIENCE? are you kidding me Lord. . .I don’t think you really blessed me with very much of that. . .seriously!  I want it done, and I want it done now. . .Oh, and I’d really like it if it could be done my way please. . .there. . .now, that’s better.

OH, I don’t get to do this my way. . .this is an endurance race. . .really?  Cause when I look at that stack in that drawer, it even looks like more endurance than I got. . .actually, it gives me knots in my stomach.

Oh, I need to start at the VERY beginning. . .organization. . .oh, organization I’m really, really good at. . .I’m pretty sure I can do that one. . .

and so it’s gone. . .my discussion with the Lord about this task. . .starting at the beginning. . .building up the muscles. . .spiritual exercise for a different type of race than the one I’m used to running. . .

I have a feeling lots of liniment (prayer) will be involved in this endeavor. . .but here we go. . .got the three ring binder, and the hole punch out. . .step one – organization!

Work out your Salvation

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Being a Christian does not happen automatically, just as being fit and healthy does not happen automatically.  You must work out.  


Yes, you are born innocent and pure, but now after years of feeding your mind, after years of daily survival, you must learn a brand new way of living, a brand new way of being.  Just as you decide to work out your body each day, to become more healthy, so must you determine to work out your spiritual mind, to grow daily in Christ.


Set aside a few moments daily for a devotion, a simple devotion that is meaningful to you.  Have a daily devotion such as My Utmost for His Highest  emailed to your inbox each morning.


Before I had a daily devotion emailed to me, I carried a book with a years worth of devotions in my vehicle.  You know, one of those calendar style books, that has a reading for each day.  Each morning, before I got out of my vehicle at work, I would read my devotional, and say a few words of prayer asking the Lord to help me be more like Him, and asking that I would find a way to apply the words I had read to my life.


Although I had attended church my entire life, I truly believe that when I began making a concerted daily effort to study God's ways,  I began my Christian walk in earnest.


Another daily, and quick way to step into God's presence is to listen to Christian praise and worship music. . .not only to listen, but to hear the words, and apply them to your life.  I often sing a worship song as a prayer, offering up a sweet smelling savor before the throne of God.  


Only you can decide how you will work out your salvation, but work it out you must.


My prayer today is that each of us will realize, and answer,  the Call of God on our lives.


My Daily Devotion


Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you.


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