Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (read)
Society is constantly attempting to achieve its goals instantaneously without waiting. However, waiting has tremendous value for our lives and is something God uses to teach us more about both him and us. First Corinthians 9:24-27 characterizes our lives as a race we are running.
Racing and waiting – how do these two concepts work together?
Our goal as runners is to obtain the prize that requires strict training. Many times, waiting is the method of training that God establishes for us. What does waiting have to do with training? In sports, not all great runners are track stars. For example, in football some of the best running backs are those who wait patiently for the hole around them to open. They have great patience, vision and trust in their teammates to make the appropriate block, opening up the proper hole to run through. As the hole opens, the running back explodes toward the goal line that has now become visible.
As believers in Christ, our race is similar. We are not to run around with heads down, looking to make our own hole to run through. Instead, heed the training and discipline that comes through waiting. During this process, God allows us to see, that like the running back, we cannot run to the goal line alone. As we wait, we must trust that God is working ahead, opening the right hole for us to run through at the appropriate time, and that he will take care of the roadblocks as we run.
I encourage you to wait upon the Lord to deliver the needed block. Trust that he will open the right hole at the proper time and place. Be disciplined and ready to see the hole and run through it to accomplish the task he has established for you!
Cory Casey is Sports Crusaders director of international and at-risk ministries and Camp P82.
This 2011 Advent devotion originally appeared in the November 17 issue of Word&Way.
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