06.28.2018 | by Patrick Voelker, Executive Administrator
As part of our “I’m In – Run by Faith” series, we heard how important it is to have purpose when we run, especially as followers of Jesus. What is my purpose? Our bible text for this series is 1 Corinthians 9:24:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So, run that you may obtain it.”
This is about not just having faith in Jesus, but about running with purpose. And many of you may say you are, but is that really true? We all have good intentions, but do we have purpose? Purpose is actions, not just intentions. You intend to follow Jesus, but intent shows desire while action reveals purpose.
Your Purpose
If you have familiarity with a race, then you know you must have purpose or there is no point in racing. If you race, your purpose is to win, to receive the prize. If we are going to follow Jesus, then our purpose is to not only get to the starting line, but to engage in the race in way that will allow us to receive the prize. In the race that Jesus gives us; it takes sacrifice, commitment, engagement, action, and more. Being a follower of Jesus is not being a spectator!
Let’s Talk About Levels
Let’s look at what we learned in our Sunday morning sermon series, Run With Purpose. In the sermon we saw we need to understand the power of commitment.
We learned that there are three levels of living;
Survival
- Some of us are just trying to survive. Pay the rent, have enough food, pay for the car, and so on. It’s paycheck to paycheck, either by necessity or the choices we are making.
Success
- Then there are those of us living in success. We have a great job(s). Money is flowing. We have nice cars, a nice house, great vacations – Disney World, cruises, spring break, summer cabins – everything is great. We might even give a little bit of it away; but in success there is still emptiness.
Significance
- Finally, there are some of us living in significance. God calls us to a life of significance, and Jesus is the path for us to live that life. If we are simply striving for success, there’s always someone better, faster, stronger, richer, better looking, younger, older, and so on.
We can find Significance by asking these five questions:
- What will be the Center of my life?
- What will be the Character of my life?
- What will the Contribution of my life be?
- What will be the Community of my life?
- What will be the Communication of my life?
What is the significance in your life? Is it your job, your family, perhaps it’s based on how well your kids do in sports, academically, or in the arts? Maybe your significance is in your home, your car, your summer cabin, boat, and so on?
If Jesus is the Center of your life, He will change the Character of your life; which in turn affects the Contribution of your life, which will drive the Community of your life, and that will be illustrated by the Communication of your life.
To run by faith requires knowing your purpose. For some this race is a sprint to the finish, for others a marathon, and for some it is an ultra-long-distance run, mile after mile. Each of these require determination, commitment, gratitude, perseverance, and having purpose. Run with that purpose.