My Course}{Your Course
And as John was finishing his course... Paul the Apostle at the end of his race said... I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: 2 Tim 4:7
This is how he saw the life of faith in Christ. He often used the sporting illustration (he must've appreciated the games:) to show what the life of faith is like. But how different was John the Baptists course than Paul's! It seems that his course was short and strong where Paul's was long and arduous! I have always thought of the Christian life as a marathon of sorts, but John the Baptist's by comparison was only a half marathon at best. His ministry, the very fulfillment of his reason for being was over so quickly.
I have often wondered about the reason for existing. I know I am meant to bring God glory and I also believe that He has made us for good works, but more, a good work! I do believe that there's a reason and purpose in life and i have said often, that once that purpose is fulfilled it's time to go. I have a course to run - it's my course just like John had his short course and Paul had his long course. Paul's was a ministry of church planting and cross cultural outreach, John's was a ministry of preparing men for Christ. Paul traveled wide and far for his day. John never left the region of Israel. John had one message to deliver. Paul had many messages to deliver. John was outside the box in every sense of the word. Paul was more conventional being brought up through the ranks of Israel's elite schools. John was rugged, Paul was refined.
How different these two men were and how different their races. One Passion drove them both - a love for Christ and intense sense of calling. Strange that both men with eyes fixed on Jesus would run such varying courses. You'd think they'd be parallel being that their passions were?
For me...i think they both ran as they ran..and regardless of the duration of their race - they ran hard! But, i stop to consider that both were clearly called men. If there's ever any discussion on this thing named "the call"...I have my thoughts and my leanings for sure - the call is so important (to me). Their sense of calling kept them running. I also stop to consider the fact that our courses may be shorter than we expect. Mine could be. I could be so much more like John than Paul should it be God's will. I could be done, completing what God has for me to do on earth? I may have many many miles yet to run, this I feel is true, but God knows. Since this is true and no man knows the full extent of his course, then run i must and run well! I'll only get one race to run, no reruns in this race!
I should keep the lesson before me (and i think Father You have shown me this) that it is so foolish to look at another's course, save for inspiration! Paul would've erred looking at John and John also would have been derailed if looked to what God was doing through Paul. Help me God to only look for inspiration, but not to compare my course with another man's course - they each have their own signature.
so Father, thank You for the calling you have given me. It is in many ways the very treasure of my life! I am where i am because i followed the path You carved out for me and my family many years ago and i am only blessed...only blessed because i have followed You and sought to do Your will for me. I have run and want to RUN this course You have given me. Thank You that i am experiencing the thing You have called me to do - it is a thrill. I do feel that presently the stretch that i am running is long and so I pray today that you give me the stamina to stay the course, to run it as it comes with all the twists and turns and ups and downs.....and long stretches too. I am not promised highlights and mtn tops, but they are nice when they come. Till the next one...i run with You...My course.
This is how he saw the life of faith in Christ. He often used the sporting illustration (he must've appreciated the games:) to show what the life of faith is like. But how different was John the Baptists course than Paul's! It seems that his course was short and strong where Paul's was long and arduous! I have always thought of the Christian life as a marathon of sorts, but John the Baptist's by comparison was only a half marathon at best. His ministry, the very fulfillment of his reason for being was over so quickly.
I have often wondered about the reason for existing. I know I am meant to bring God glory and I also believe that He has made us for good works, but more, a good work! I do believe that there's a reason and purpose in life and i have said often, that once that purpose is fulfilled it's time to go. I have a course to run - it's my course just like John had his short course and Paul had his long course. Paul's was a ministry of church planting and cross cultural outreach, John's was a ministry of preparing men for Christ. Paul traveled wide and far for his day. John never left the region of Israel. John had one message to deliver. Paul had many messages to deliver. John was outside the box in every sense of the word. Paul was more conventional being brought up through the ranks of Israel's elite schools. John was rugged, Paul was refined.
How different these two men were and how different their races. One Passion drove them both - a love for Christ and intense sense of calling. Strange that both men with eyes fixed on Jesus would run such varying courses. You'd think they'd be parallel being that their passions were?
For me...i think they both ran as they ran..and regardless of the duration of their race - they ran hard! But, i stop to consider that both were clearly called men. If there's ever any discussion on this thing named "the call"...I have my thoughts and my leanings for sure - the call is so important (to me). Their sense of calling kept them running. I also stop to consider the fact that our courses may be shorter than we expect. Mine could be. I could be so much more like John than Paul should it be God's will. I could be done, completing what God has for me to do on earth? I may have many many miles yet to run, this I feel is true, but God knows. Since this is true and no man knows the full extent of his course, then run i must and run well! I'll only get one race to run, no reruns in this race!
I should keep the lesson before me (and i think Father You have shown me this) that it is so foolish to look at another's course, save for inspiration! Paul would've erred looking at John and John also would have been derailed if looked to what God was doing through Paul. Help me God to only look for inspiration, but not to compare my course with another man's course - they each have their own signature.
so Father, thank You for the calling you have given me. It is in many ways the very treasure of my life! I am where i am because i followed the path You carved out for me and my family many years ago and i am only blessed...only blessed because i have followed You and sought to do Your will for me. I have run and want to RUN this course You have given me. Thank You that i am experiencing the thing You have called me to do - it is a thrill. I do feel that presently the stretch that i am running is long and so I pray today that you give me the stamina to stay the course, to run it as it comes with all the twists and turns and ups and downs.....and long stretches too. I am not promised highlights and mtn tops, but they are nice when they come. Till the next one...i run with You...My course.
