The Good Fight

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2nd Timothy 4:7

Paul is a good role model for me because of all he overcame. Right now, these words from his letter to Timothy about how he fought the good fight and finished the race mean a lot to me. Over the few days I was sick I let my faith get sick as well. I was so tired that I hardly prayed thinking that I'll go back to my schedule when I was better. But our faith, I've learned, is so fragile. One day we can be on fire and the next day, if we don't take care of our faith, it can be a little flame about to die. I'm not saying my faith is dead right now, but I am saying that I can't hear God as loudly. I feel disconnected and that is my fault. When we let this happen, desire to pray fades as well, making it a very tough situation. This is where Paul comes in for me… he fought the good fight… he finished the race. I can imagine that along the way Paul grew tired like me and his spiritual life might gave dried up a bit, but he kept on going, and so will I. I'm struck by the fact that he didn't say he won the race. He said he finished it… so I guess it doesn't matter if I limp along for a while as long as I get there. I will be tired and maybe I won't feel like going on some days but I'll remember the fight Paul had in him and I will keep fighting too. All of these days - the ups and the downs - are part of the race and I know what the prize is… and I will finish the race. I will keep the faith.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, I'm sorry for not taking care of the faith and gifts You have given me. Help me get up when I fall, much stronger than before. Like Paul, help me fight the good fight and finish the race. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.

Forward and Never Back

"I do not claim to have claimed the prize yet. I say only this: forgetting what is behind me, I race forward and run towards the goal, my eyes on the prize to which God has called us from above in Christ Jesus." - Phillipians 3:13-14

What is the prize you have in your heart that you want to achieve? We all have a dream that we want to accomplish, whether it's the ideal job, a stable relationship, better health, or even a better relationship with God and our families. This is what we were called for - to achieve those dreams in the Name of Jesus Christ. And life is a journey so I doubt many of us feel complete right now, but the point is to hope and keep our faith on Jesus, as Saint Paul writes in this passage. See, Paul had the dream of reaching Christ and being like Him in every way. He knew he wasn't there yet, but he kept on trying with hope. He was thrown in jail, shipwrecked, beaten and he still pressed forward to accomplish what God put in his heart. This is what we need to do with the things we want to achieve, keep on marching forward with faith on the Lord, eyes on the prize.

But it's always important that we never look back, because in looking back, we see our weaknesses. We see the areas in which we've failed before or were let down. God calls us to rise above where we are now and move forward. God doesn't want us to remain in the same place where we were hurt but to reach for higher things as Paul expressed! Today, remember you were called for higher things. Hope in the Lord and march forward.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for the hope You give us in our lives. Help me to remain focused, march forward and never reminisce on my past or the areas in which I was hurt. I know You want to better me Lord. In Your Name we pray, amen.