WILL YOU QUIT THE RACE?

WILL YOU QUIT THE RACE?

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus , who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there , in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" - Hebrews 12:1-3 (Message)

"John Akhwari, while running, had fallen down and had badly hurt himself. He was bleeding and his knee had got dislocated from the joint. Considering the severity of his injuries, Akhwari was repeatedly asked to quit the race but he refused. He fell, dragged himself, ran in between but finished the marathon limping over the line. On the finishing line, he received a huge applause and almighty cheers from the little crowd. His body was exhausted but not his spirit; his competitors crossed him one by one but his determination rewarded him in tremendous pain. When he was asked the reason of doing such kind of crazy act, he replied, “My country did not send me 10,000 miles just to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.” - ( Brain Prick)

Friends, the story of this great althele at the Mexico 1968 Olympic reinforces God's appeal to believers not to lose sight of the finish line in their sojourn on earth (Hebrews 12:1-3). Like John Akhwari, we may sustain emotional or physical wounds while running the race. Some trusted friends, close associates and highly respected leaders may even step on our toes while running (Psalms 55:12-14). Should we stop running the race because of these?  The answer is "No". Any wise man should not allow the noise of the market to stop or discourage him from attending to his business with the vendor. Jesus Christ is waiting for us at the finish line and He will not entertain any excuse if we did not make it to the Golden shore.

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,.........."-  Romans  2:1 (KJV)

Beloved, have you sustained emotional bruises on the way and you are about pulling out of the race? Is everything within and around you screaming "Quit! Quit!! Quit!!!". Or have you even thrown in the towel already? Then, it's time to go over that awesome story of our perfect finisher -Jesus Christ again. His story will definitely shoot fresh adrenaline of hope, courage, mercy and grace into your soul and keep you running until you reach the main bowl of the Stadium of Eternity. My heart cry this week is that you and I will not miss the warm embrace and standing ovation of the cloud of witnesses that are eagerly waiting for us at the finish line in Jesus name. (Amen)

One Southern Gospel song that summarises our heart cry this week is titled "The Race". Could you please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this song as we believe God to help us set our gaze permanently on the finish line till we get there. 

THE RACE

Before I was born into history and time
You planned creation with me in mind
You formed my heart you saw my face
I was made in your image I'm no mistake

Chorus:
           I'm running the race down to the last minute
           Mercy and grace are keeping me in it
          There's a fire in my soul I'm fully committed
          I'm running the race and I'm gonna finish

You chose my family the place of my birth
You knew all about me you thought I had worth
I was called out to serve you doing your kingdom work
And all of my days are written down in your book

I've fallen down in this race of life
But you came to my rescue time after time
You told me you loved me you weren't counting my sin
In you I found courage to rise up again

I know you are for me you want me to win
I give you my soul till the very end
Out there before me I see the prize
Jesus is standing at the finish line

Beloved, by God's grace I will not quit the race until I see Jesus Christ at the finish line. Those bruises of life and the noise in the market of this world cannot stop or discourage me. I'm heading for the finish line in Jesus name. What about you my dear friend? Will you quit the race? I hope you will not. 

Good morning and do have a blessed day, full of pleasant surprises.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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