1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Run Harder

24 Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

God spoke to me in the gym today. I was praying to him about my life (as I tend to do), and praying "God, I pray that I will be all that you've called me to be". Then he spoke to me, very clearly - "Run harder".

It's ironic that God should speak to me about this in the gym, because the context of this verse is very much exercise-related. In the same way that I am motivated to build my body through exercise (to be more attractive, confident & healthy), God wants me to be motivated to run to the goal of self-control and disciple. Discipline for two things:

1. Building other people. God, grant me to desire and more passion to build other people in love.
2. Running away from sexual immorality (see also 1Co 6:18, 1Ti 6:11, 2Ti 2:22). God is calling me to chase him more, through purity. In purity I can draw closer to God. This will involve running. Actively running.

God is calling me to run towards him, and run away from impurity. May he grant me the desire and strength to do so. Maybe this way more people's lives will be changed for the better.