What Motivates Me To Run My Race With Discipline?
BRD REFLECTIONS
1 Corinthians 9 and Psalm 71 (NIV)
(Chan Wai Lup, Chairperson, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
1 Corinthians 9 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
This passage follows the previous chapter on Christian liberty. Here, Paul explains why he has chosen to give up his rights to receive material support from the church. Behind his explanation, we can see Paul’s attitude and motivation in his life and ministry:
- To Paul, preaching the gospel is not a voluntary work, but a compulsion to do so due to the sacred trust that God had placed on him (v16-17 NLT).
- In Paul’s ministry to both Jews and Gentiles, he tries to find common ground with everyone so as to be able to reach them with the Good News of salvation (v22 NLT).
- Paul sees his life as a race. To complete the race well, he needs to exercise discipline like an athlete and run with purpose in every step. He knows his prize is the eternal reward from Christ (v25-27 NLT).
APPLY:
This passage speaks to me about my own attitude and motivation in my ministry in church and my professional job. Do I see my church ministry as voluntary work or as a calling and sacred trust that God had placed on me that I’m compelled to fulfil to the best of my ability? Do I see my job as just a means of income or the opportune “common ground” where I can be a witness for Christ? In the various seasons of my life, have I lived them with Godly purpose in every step? What were my goals? Were they earthly or did they have eternal values? Did I allow worldly lures and challenges to derail me from the straight and narrow way towards the eternal prize? Through the years, I have come to realise that it is not about where I serve or what job I do for God, but my attitude in living every aspect of my life in obedience to please my heavenly Father.
DO:
I cannot turn back the clock. I can only endeavour to live the rest of my life with the right focus and the discipline to fulfil God’s will for me. As I consider retiring from fulltime professional work in the next few years, I will prayerfully seek God’s will and not my own. Even in my leisure and social encounters with family and friends, I will seek the common ground to be a good witness for Christ. In my church ministry, I will continue to give of my best to the community that God has called me to serve. I will not forget the importance of discipline, both physical and spiritual. The physical discipline of rest, exercise and personal healthcare; the spiritual discipline of worship, prayer, studying God’s Word, meditation and examen.
PRAY:
Dear God, thank you for reminding me that I should live my life with the perspective of eternity. I may not have always run my race in life well, but I am assured that I can still finish my race well if I keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith. May the Holy Spirit help me in my moments of weakness especially when I lack discipline. Bring friends alongside me as spiritual companions in Christ so that we can encourage one another to persevere in the marathon of life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
