When I was quite young, I watched my father cut the head off a chicken and then saw that chicken begin to run all over the place. It was running about with no sense of direction. Having witnessed the sight, when I grew older, I needed no explanation when someone was described as running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Such can be life in its busyness with no definitive aim or purpose. It is a picture of life lived in a wild frenzy rather than with a willful focus.
In writing to Christians at Corinth, Paul used some athletic analogies in focusing on running life’s race. We read. . .
“(24) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (25) Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (26) So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. (27) But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)
In living our life in connection with our hope in the Lord, we ought to understand life is not a sprint but a marathon. Therefore, life’s race is to not be run aimlessly but with the course and finish in mind. Train to run. Continue to run. Run with a disciplined focus to not be sidetracked across the line into worldliness, but rather run to cross the Heavenly finish line for the eternal prize above! May we stay the course in Christ as it is in Him we can each gain Heaven’s prize!
Have a great day STAYING THE COURSE IN CHRIST!
Carl
