RUN YOUR OWN RACE.

With wisdom a house is built! Prov 24:3. It's not until I got involved with development that this passage really meant much depth to me. It takes a lot of wisdom. No wonder, in construction, you need to follow the architect's master plan. And even then, you build and bring down to build and bring down again. I learnt that Michelangelo in sculpting 'David' moulded that sculpture several hundred times, until he found perfection. Even then he wanted to destroy and re-build. That exactly is how life is until you find purpose. The only time you build once and reach perfection is when you build on Gods master plan. Ps 127:1-2. Unless the Lord build the house, that that build it labour in vain. No wonder if you don't find purpose, your destiny cries out in vain! That will not be your portion.

Hence, you got to run the race meant for you, so that you can run it for a prize.1 Cor 9: 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Before every man or woman, there is a race of life that is set before us. We require an endurance and wisdom to run that race. Heb 12:1...let us with endurance run the race that is set before us. There is weight to be shed. What race is set before you, your business, family, marriage, business, children or career? Identify it, identify God's plan and purpose and exercise to run it. Shed the weight that easily beset you and run it light weighted. 

I shared at the service on Sunday. the story of Ahimaaz (2Sam 18:19-30) who ran the race he was not called to run, despite been known to be a good man who bears good news. He ran this particular race on his own, without the call of God, he ran without a defined assignment, he ran to achieve his own selfish aim. Four things we must avoid from our race of destiny are:

1. Do not run a purposeless race! Ahimaaz ran a race that has no purpose. A race without a message. He went where he was not called. He wasted energy. What is the purpose for which you have started that race. Why did you go into that job, career, marriage, business, family? For what purpose? If you can't find purpose, you can't find destiny. Do not be a hyperactive person. You don't have to be involved in everything. You can't know everything, you can't know all. Stop being a Jack of all trade, master of none. 

2. He was a copycat. He ran because someone else was running. You are wonderfully and fearful made. Ps 139:14. There is a DNA in you that's not in any other person. What are you good at. Stick to it. Don't go into trade because everyone else is doing it. Don't buy products because others are buying. Don't have a don't-leave-me-behind-mentality. Be original. It is not yet your time. Then wait. If it's your time, it won't pass you by. 

3. Show off-aka Pride or conceitedness. Ahimaaz wanted to show off. Yes he was a good runner, he has experience in that field, but it wasn't his message nor his time. His speed was good, but not necessary at the time. He wanted to use that period to show off his skill and gifting. No, that's not the time he was needed. If you want to show off, Jesus will be put off you. Beware.

4. Wasted effort. In the end, he embarked on a journey in futility. David said 'stay aside'. You will not be asked to stand aside at the end of your race. To collect the trophy of life, you need to run the right race at the right time for the right reason. Someone said Life is not about running fast but about running the right race. Run to win the trophy. Most athletes and sports persons that have been disgraced have been those who ran with enhanced drugs, who cheated to win trophies, they are always found out and disgraced. They are always cast aside in the race of life. Yours will not be like that. Amen.