Running the Race for God

I accomplished something big today. Something that I’ve been working towards for almost the last two years. I’ve finished the race. I’ve poured endless hours, endless work, and endless time into this one very thing. I have been anticipating this day forever and wondering what it might feel like; how good it would feel.

You know what? It felt like nothing like I originally thought it would. Not because it wasn’t still something big, but because my whole perspective has changed. It wasn’t a shock either that my feelings had changed. After a lot of self reflection, especially the past week or so and the closer this day got, the more I realized how little it actually meant to me in the grand scheme of things. Not that I am not proud, not that it is not an accomplishment, and not that it isn’t a huge weight off my shoulders. It is all of those things, but that is not what it is all about. Today’s event was a desire of mine. It was something for me and I had placed so much weight on it. But, it wasn’t for God. My heart was not in the right place. I was running the race for myself and not for God and that is why it did not feel as good as what I originally thought it would.

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

It’s not to say that we shouldn’t be proud of our accomplishments but just making sure we are doing things for the right reason and giving HIM the glory. Without him and what he provides for us, we would not be able to accomplish anything. John 14:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

So while I may have selfishly finished my own race, the race for God and for sharing his goodness never ends. It is through Him and living for him, that truly gives our life meaning, not the little things we do to satisfy ourselves.

I’ll leave you with this that sums it up perfectly: Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.