The good things in life, sports, careers, raising a family don’t come easy in this life. For most of you it has taken years to accomplish where you are today. You must be dedicated. Dedication means being committed to a task or purpose. Coaches, teachers, mentors, parents all over country have dedicated their time, talent, and leadership to improve a young person’s life for the better.
You can only lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink it! Young athletes will compete in the Olympics who will make their sport look so easy like a fine work of art. Tom Brady quarterback for the Bucs this season formerly with the Patriots thrives on pressure and clock management especially under two minutes. Do you realize how many times they have practiced that drill? I am sure hundreds of times in practice each season. How about the ice skaters in the Olympics to perfect a triple lutz.
Practice doesn’t always make it perfect, but practicing the right way does. Doing it the right way is not always easy, but self discipline and dedication will eventually payoff. (Please read that again).
On the spiritual side we have to perseverre and be committed to walk in self denial and trust God to allow his Spirit to live and rule in our lives. Prayer and time alone with the Lord is work and disciple just like physical exercise. Yet, the benefits of a steady consistent workout are so rewarding. To walk in spiritual victory and be an Overcomer in this life we have to dedicate our time to God and allow the flesh to ‘die to self’ to see changes in our walk with God. “It is not by might , nor by power, by My Spirit, says the Lord” Zechariah 4:6
The Lord is your biggest fan and has your back, even when we miss the mark. He says to get back on your feet and keep going and don’t quit. You’re almost there.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
So run, train, be self disciplined in every purpose in life you can do this. Paul said, ” I am not just shadow boxing”. In other words, be prepared always for the unthinkable. Be ready like Paul when he said to Timothy, ” To be ready in season and out of season” .
This spiritual journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Always be teachable and willing to learn. It may not be going as well for you right now, especially after a major defeat in your life, but stay focused and do not quit or get distracted.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2a NLT
- So strip off, lay aside the clutter, excuses, and hindrances in your life today. Confess your sins and failures to God.
- Run with perseverance and endurance. It is not supposed to be easy that why it is a challenge to get to the mountain peak!
- Stay focused by keeping your eyes and heart on Jesus. The rewards are literally out of this world.
- Find a way to win, and in your winning do it gracefully.
- Christ Jesus is the author the champion of your faith. If He is the author, Jesus will be the finisher of your faith. Why? God’s promises never fail. ” He is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8.
The Watering Hole Journey 