Devotions from Judy’s heart

As we watch the Olympics, many of the Olympians make it look easy on the balance beam, on the high dive, or jumping the hurdles etc. But if you asked any of them, they could tell you how hard they have trained and what they had to give up in order to compete. They may have dreamed of winning the gold since they were small children. But if they had not disciplined themselves and trained, they would not be competing now. It takes a lot of hard work and we dare not try going on the balance beam if we haven’t trained, or dive off the high platform without practice. Sometimes we can look at other Christians we admire and respect and think how easy it is for them….but we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, the battles they have been through, and the training that has been required.  But like Paul said  (I Cor.9 the Message) “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 the 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.” Let us be in the place God has for us and submit ourselves to His disciplines, running hard, with our eye on the eternal Gold!