On The Run

Dear sisters,

   2 days ago we released our brand new record, On The Run! 

You can still preview a few of the songs online, but if you'd like your own copy it's available on Itunes, Amazon, children183.com or at a show! We're heading out on tour tomorrow so whoever is reading this- I hope we see you out on the road!

  

  Our album came out on Tues. and that morning I was reading in 1 Cor. and this verse came up:

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.

Isn't it interesting that the apostle Paul likened out faith to a race? I mean, we're not supposed to try to earn anything, right? Why do we need to try so hard to beat everyone else?

  

Well, it's like this, in a race like a marathon or a 5K or whatever, there are usually 2 types of runners- there are the ones who just want to finish (and that is a noble goal for many, myself included- haha!). They don't necessarily want to place or make a good time, they are just running for the experience, maybe for some bragging rights. Then there are the racers, they are running for one thing- 1st place. They are experienced. They've tasted victory and defeat. They want to win.

In this verse, Paul likens the christian walk to a race and urges us to be racers. Run to win. I'm sure it can be tempting when those around you aren't quite as fast, maybe you can pass them up with ease and even slow down a bit, just so you stay one step ahead. Sometimes I compare my life to others, you know what I mean! Well, I sure am more spiritual then her! I got so much bible-reading in today, I'll be good for awhile! ect. ect.

  The problem with that is, in this great race of faith, you're not racing against the people next to you.

It's the mystery of the christian life. Beating someone else doesn't make you a winner. The only thing that guarantees first place victory is giving it your all. Racing to win. Going as hard as you can, every day. Falling and getting up. Beating your own time (reading more of the word, praying longer, serving more often, smiling more, being kinder, avoiding that temptation, biting back those stinging words...)

  

It really doesn't matter how you race compared to anyone else (thank God!). It's simply you. Run the race of your life to the best of your ability.

 Don't give in to the "just a runner" mindset, I just want to finish. I just want to get through life without messing up too bad. I just want to make it into Heaven. Don't give up because you think you can't win. Victory is within your grasp! If you will run as hard as you can, nothing else will hold you back.

  

The longer we live in our pursuit of Jesus, the more lessons He will teach us. With each new lessong come the responsibility to walk it out, put it into practice. You only have to worry about what you know right now, what you know to do- from church, from the bible, from other books or friends- do that to the best of your ability. The rest of it doesn't matter.

  It doesn't matter how fast you're running. It doesn't matter how much you're doing. It doesn't matter what goals you've not met, or how many times you've fallen short. It only matters that you're going as fast as you can, even if it's just one step at a time... keep running. And that's it- you're on the fast-track to victory.

High fives!

LM