"Do
you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we
do it to get a crown that will last forever”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV2011)
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV2011)
The
entirety of life is God training each of to grow to be more like Jesus.
Every problem, every challenge, every success, every period of loneliness
or joy, all of it is God’s work in training us out of pride, self centeredness
and selfishness and into selflessness, love of God
and love of others.
God
is training us to put others ahead of ourselves.
But,
you may ask, am I supposed to be a doormat?
No. Doormats are weak,
succumbing to people pleasing and fear.
Those who treat others as better than themselves (Phil 2:3) in
a spirit empowered way are strong. They
are strong enough not to be dominated by fear, or what others think, or their
own selfish desires, or their own desire for comfort.
How
do people become Spirit-empowered servants who
put others ahead of themselves? The
answer is training. Trying doesn’t
work. Training does.
When
asked to go the extra mile when it’s an unfair request, it is those who have
entered the Lord’s training who say yes when they know it’s the God honoring
to do. When tempted to succumb
to people pleasing it is the trained who can say no when they discern that their
need for affirmation from people is stronger than their need to honor God.
As
you continue your fast you will encounter irritations, discouragement, problems
and the desire to quit your fast. Don’t
give in. God is training you
for something better, to become someone better than the person you were.
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I really needed to hear this message today! Thanks
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