"Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules."
2 Timothy 2:5
When an athlete enters an event of competition there are rules and guidelines that must be followed in order to not be disqualified. For example when running track he must stay in his or her own lane. Veering in another’s lane wreaks havoc for the runner who chose to do so, and he most often ruins the other runner’s race as well. In order to compete successfully we must stay in our own lane.
When horse races start each horse must enter into a gate before being released to run the race set before them. Again, there are rules that must be strictly adhered to in order to win the prize.
Often times our journey of life on this earth is referred to as a race choosing paths, or which gate to enter as we read our Bibles. In Matthew 7:13-14 it reads:
"Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
These are thought provoking words I return to often to evaluate daily choices that determines the outcome of my race before Him. It is much easier to go with the flow, or be tempted to take the easy way out. But His way is never the easy way concerning my flesh. I realize I must deny myself, and follow in His footsteps He left for me. He also told us whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses His life for His sake will find it. (Luke 17:33)
May I encourage you today to read the rules and guidelines to compete and successfully win the prize of an eternal race you were placed in the day you were born. May we choose to enter the narrow gate that sadly only few find. By choosing to follow His ways may we be one of the few.
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I–I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost
Taking roads less traveled in my spiritual life has spilled over into my physical world as well, and it has definitely made all the difference. 😇