Straight Running

TITLE: Straight Running
DATE:  October 5, 2019

TEXT:  John 14:31 - ESV - 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

It's pretty hard to go in a straight line.

That's what the three boys found in the last century when their pastor came up to them and proposed a race in the freshly fallen snow. The boys saw the acres of unmarked white, thought it would be a great challenge and agreed.

It was then that their pastor told them that this race was to be different.

 "I will go to the other side of the field," he said, "and when I give you the signal, I want you to begin your running.  The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner of the prize."

The race began with three different styles being used.

• The first boy kept looking at his feet to see if his steps were straight.
• The second lad kept looking at his friends to see what they were doing; and the
• third boy ran on with his eyes fixed on the minister on the other side of the field. 

When the race was completed, they examined the results. Clearly, the third boy was the winner, for his footsteps were the straightest.  He had accomplished his win very simply: He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him.

 In our text above Jesus freely admitted that His eyes were fixed on the Father's will. That Divine direction was leading Him always closer to the cross where He was crucified for our sins.

Note, Jesus was not concerned about what others were doing. He didn’t look at Himself and the pain He was suffering as our Divinely-sent Substitute. He didn’t dwell on  the hurt He had to endure. He looked only at the Father's goal of saving souls.

How about you?

Which boy's style of running are you using in the race of your life? Do you pay attention only to what others are doing? Unless you have been following the straight path of Jesus, that kind of race leaves you sorely wanting.

Are you only concerned about yourself and what you want as you go from day to day? That selfish lifestyle is hardly a straight one and never makes for peace and harmony.

It is only when we keep our eyes on Jesus and realize He has run the straight race for us that we can begin to make any progress at all.

THE PRAYER -  Lord Jesus, I give thanks that You ran my race for me. My sin kept me from ever going in a straight line. In Scripture You have left Your footprints of faithfulness for me to follow. When I die, may I also be able to say that the Father's will and Your love were always first in all that I did. I ask this in Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html