Tuesday, January 15, 2008
"Coach, I'm back. What's next?"1 Cor 9:24-27[MSG] "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. "Running is tough. Running a Christian race is even tougher. Especially one that is aimed for such an extraordinary crown. The running of the race is not as tough as the training that goes behind it. After all, we are under the best Coach in town. Remember the time you missed a training because you were "not feeling well"? Or how about skipping dance practice, NCC saturdays, basketball practice, army training for some reasons which were far from the actual truth? Hey, all of us get sick sometimes. Emotionally sick, confused, pressured over something that didn't concern the training or the race. I hope you can identify with such feelings. Ever wondered how Coach would feel everytime you missed training? The last thing you should feel after reading this is guilt and condemnation because Coach is not in the business of honing in to your missed training sessions and "tekanning" you. When Paul wrote this, he didn't leave out the fact that the greatest Coach will be teaching you and he didnt leave out the fact that you will miss some trainings on purpose. He was talking about getting back in the race. He was talking about taking part in the tough training even if you have already missed some. You've had questions and doubts about your own walk with God. You may have faced disappointment with the relationships you have had with the people in church. You may have faced temptation and you may have fell again and again. Is there something wrong with your legs or your lungs or your brain? Is there something wrong with the Coach? If you're seriously thinking about the answer, the answer is NO!! You may have been distracted or you may have lost the motivation. Would you like to know what Coach is thinking? Coach is simply waiting for you to get back in training. If He asked you to run, He will train you up in your motivation and all the other areas too. He just wants to hear you say, " Coach, I'm back. What's next?" Will you say it? I hope you do.. soon.. He's waiting. You don't always have to be "ready". He is the Coach and that is really His job, not yours. Your response to God is important.Cheers and 7-eleven,James
5:14 AM
God, I can't. You can
