[1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV] “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.”
“Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.“
The Message teaches that “if 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 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 lazy 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.
- Train hard! Practice they say makes perfect. You must exercise yourself unto godliness. The Bible encourages us to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (See 1 Timothy 4:7-8). Just as men set a target to run 10km daily, you must endure hardness and practice endurance and perseverance.
- Run to the finish-line; run with the notion to finish! Only those who overcome to the end are crowned and rewarded. You must overcome every storm, every personalities, every resistance; you must finish at all cost. Don’t let anyone or anything rob you of your crown.
- Give it everything you have got; everything in you. Half-hearted committed will yield half-hearted result. You must give yourself wholly if you can attain unto mastery.
- Stay alert and in top form; don’t be caught unawares. Beat your body under. Get your body under control if you can be swift and steadfast. You must strive to be in top form and stay alert. Many people are caught unawares and unprepared. We must strive for mastery.
- Be temperate in all things. Temperance is one of the greatest virtues an athletes may possess. You can not go far as an athlete if you indulge your self in pleasure and gluttony. You must be willing to burn excess fat while you build muscles and fittness. We must cast off sin and weight that easily beset us. You must purge away waste and tumours. Any growth that fights your fruitfulness must fall off and die. Pray and curse anything that is growing to sap energy from you.
- Strive lawfully. There are rules and regulations that govern every sport or endeavour; we must strive in the boundaries of the rules. There is a place you can’t go. There are confines you must remain in depending on your call. The Bible teaches that a “man also strive for mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (See 2 Timothy 2:5)
- Develop very deep spiritual roots. Read, pray, fast and fellowship more deeply with the Holy Ghost and with the brethren if you want to go far. The psalmist said “Blessed be the LORD my strength, Which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalm 144:1″. Have you realised that sports that require great precision and mastery like martial arts also require deep spirituality? I can assure you that those who desire extreme mastery in extreme sports pursue deep spirituality.
- Surround yourself with positive men, who can juggle a few more things. David’s top three men could handle multiple instruments of war perfectly with both hands (See 2 Samuel 23). The Bible says this of the men around David. “Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.” [1 Chronicles 12:1-2]
I need men and women who can juggle work, family, and ministry almost perfectly. Men and women who know how to work from Monday to Friday, intercede with me Friday nights, Reach out on Saturday, and Gather to worship on Sundays! I need some men and women who can attend Friday services just like chillers that tarry at wine, and attend to pray as men that sit in a pub. Men and women who are hungry to to catch some fresh fire. When I discern the deep hatred our community is breathing towards us, we can’t sleep anymore!
Stay blessed
