Who Cut in on your race?
Have you ever watched how Formula One racing car drivers cut in on one another during a race? That is what they do to win the race! They overtake and then cut in front of the car they have overtaken, so that the driver they have cut in on doesn't do the same to them, for as long as they can possibly hold them off. They weave all over the race track, trying to stop each other from cutting in on one another.
We have an adversary that likes to do that to us. Whether he uses people or "things", he will try to find a way to "cut in on your race" with God. He is the devil and any way he can make you think that God's race is not going to work for you, he will. He will bring discouragement into your life, and pull your faith down and before you know it, you are in another race on another road, but it isn't the race or road that qualifies you for God's prize. It isn't God's race or God's road that you find yourself on!
Paul puts it like this in Gal 5:7-8: "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? (8) That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you."
Maybe last year you were running a good race in the race of life and then somehow, somewhere, someone or something, cut in on you and you stopped running the race. You might have become distracted with work, relationships that let you down, discouraged or feeling that God has let you down, even though you know might have heard or know that the scriptures teach us that God will never leave us nor forsake us.
Maybe you have been on a road of discouragement about Christianity for some time now and feel that you cannot be close to GOD if you happen to be gay or lesbian. Perhaps people from the Church have hurt you so badly that you cannot see a God who loves you with an unconditional love?
Or, maybe you are someone that was a key leader, or in key ministry for years, or years ago in your church and you stopped running the race because you thought you couldn't carry on especially if you are a LGBTI person.
You might be a committed Christian that this has happened to, but without realizing it, little by little your faith, fire and passion for GOD has ebbed away as you have let negativity creep into your faith and walk. The devil is a liar and a counterfeit.
If I am speaking to you, get back in the race quickly, don't delay, God needs you!
It doesn't matter what people think, what matters is what GOD thinks.
You have value in the Kingdom and God is going to do great things this year, but God needs you and me to be the vessels. It is no matter that you might be a broken vessels but merely that you are still running the race allowing God to use you to make a difference, because you are a willing vessel.
In 1 Cor 9:24, Paul says that we must run the race in such a way as to get the prize. What is the prize a crown of glory, don't need to compete for it, everyone who finishes gets the prize!
I want to finish the race that I started in Christ. To do that I must run it GOD's way, submitting to God's will for my life. The devil tried to cut in on me a few times, being a pastor is no exception! But you have to believe God's voice and promises not what the devil is saying.
Let's run this race in 2010 that God has for each of us, together. Remember it is not just about starting the race but finishing well.
Don't let anyone cut in on your race in 2010 and make sure you are in the right race on the right road, leading to victory! It is not a time for new year's resolutions, those are made in our own strength and carnality.
It is a time to surrender to GOD in totality and walk authentically as GOD created you to be and who GOD created you to be in your faith walk.
Surrender means we don't "go it alone" or think we can manage without GOD, it means more than ever we rely in and trust GOD with and in everything, seeking to please GOD in all we do.
Running the race in "such a way" as to get prize; means this is a race where righteous and holiness reign. We can only be holy & righteous through the power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, otherwise we end up being self righteous.
Run your race in 2010, so as to get the right prize! It's a prize based on love.
Blessings
Rev. Deborah Bell
Senior Pastor
Deo Gloria Family Church