Run Your Race

As we begin the final 8 chapters of Acts, documenting Paul’s final travels that will take him to Jerusalem and then finally on to Rome, we begin to hear an urgency in Paul’s voice.  He says in Acts 20:24 that his only aim is to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus gave him.  He tells us that task: of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

He is so adamant about fulfilling his race that he precedes these words with “I consider my life worth nothing to me”.

Paul didn’t want to waste any time.  We read how on his last evening at Troas, he talked until midnight, paused to raise a young lad from the dead who had fallen out of the window, then continued until daylight.  He so wanted to make sure he had passed on everything that he knew.  He says in Acts 20:20 “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful …”

Paul knew that the time was short and knew the urgency to communicate his final thoughts as he would not be travelling this way again.

We know that Paul endured hardship (2 Corinthians 6:3-10), that he talked about being content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11) and that he worked so that he wasn’t a burden to others (Acts 18:3).  His whole life from the moment of salvation was about running his race, declaring “to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus”. (Acts 20:21)

The question we each then have to ask is: Am I running my race?  Does the task that the Lord Jesus has set for me take priority over everything else?

How do I know what my race is?

Firstly, all of us have been given the Great Commission as a command: to go and make disciples.  We read this in Matthew 28:18-20. 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Secondly, we each have a unique race.  Ask yourself, what you are passionate about?  Our daughter, Bex, has always been passionate about protecting young children – she is currently on the mission field in Brazil, working with an organisation that protects and rescues children from trafficking.  Our other daughter, Abbey, has always been passionate about worship – she currently leads the worship team in her church.

Another way to look at passion is to think about what excites you that you see your local church doing.  Could you be involved with this too?

You could also think about what frustrates you: do you see the need for a certain ministry or outreach?  Maybe your pastor is waiting for someone like you who is passionate about this area to start a new project.

Thirdly, serve in your local church.  By serving in different areas, you begin to see what your giftings are and the team that you thrive in.

We are not called to run the same race as Paul, but we are called to run our own race. 

Action:

Take some time to write down the task that the Lord has given you.  Ask Him for clear vision and write your job description from God.  Then look at this regularly to check that you are not standing still but you are continuing to run your race.