The Discipline of God

He entered the station hurriedly and scurried to the first turnstile with ticket in hand. After three failed attempts, his transit ticket was accepted. The distant sound of the oncoming train competed with his quickening heartbeat. He darted past several intrepid commuters, skipped four escalator steps and seeing the opened train doors at a distance, he made his final push. Through the street performers, through the boisterous teens, through the confused lost travelers, surely he could plunge himself forward before the last closing door chime. Alas and to his dismay, the doors closed, and the train’s rear lights quickly diminished as did his hopes.

Most of us have had a journey comparable to this one, maybe not with the exact details/obstacles, or outcome, but with the same familiar pressure to perform in hopes for a better result. The twists and turns of our race can easily ensnare us, but the command is to still run. Exhilaration, anticipation, victory, defeat, disappointment, and repentance are all a part of the race. I recently heard a line in a song that says, “All I do is win, win, win, win, win!” Lies, all lies!!!  There is a race that is set before us and it is lined with victories and littered with defeats, and we do best to take them both in stride not letting one puff us up and the other hamstring our progress, because the race continues regardless, and our Lord is into building some character development and discipline as we run our race. Seek His face while you embrace your race. Jesus endured His race-His cross, He is our example. If you grow weary while running your race, just think about how much our Jesus endured on your behalf? He endured the cross and loathed the shame for you, for me. There you go! You think you can make it? Can you hold on a little longer?  Yeah, ya can!

PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for this race, the benchmarks accomplished, even the hurdles that seem to come for me. Sometimes I fared well and other times I failed, but Your mercies never failed me, they were brand new each day to lift my head and encourage me along to finish the race You have set before me.  Thank You for Your grace and lovingkindness running alongside me, Jesus. And thank You for making intercession for all of us. It is in Your name I pray, Amen!
By Sis. Paula Smith