I Corinthians 9:24-27 24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Ironical, ain't it? When I most need to focus on God are the times when my mind is most likely to wander to other things.
The end of year is always a busy time full of details, deadlines and to-do lists. It is during these times I am most in need of God's calming, guiding and wisdom, but it is also during these times I have the most trouble giving Him my undivided attention and time.
I find myself rereading verses. Cutting pray time short. And interrupting quiet time to send that one email I forgot to send the day before.
Paul must have known how that felt (minus the email stuff). He writes in 1 Corinthians about the need for self-discipline in Christian growth. His analogy to an athlete's training schedule is very much like the Christian disciplines of meditation, prayer and Bible study. I particularly like verse 26- "therefore I do not run like someone who is running aimlessly."
Paul speaks of striking a blow to his body. In my case I need to strike a blow to my mind to make it focused, purpose driven and intentional when I come before the Lord.
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