Grouse Mountain Devotion

C&C and TPSeeds did the grouse grind today. It was good to see so many people out, and the weather was great as well. I wrote a devotion for all of us to do together at the mountain top. Hope everybody was able to get something out of my mumbly jumbly talk. I believe the Holy Spirit was working as well. Not only through just me, but some others who shared as well. Brothers and sisters, let's continue to run this spiritual race, encouraging each other from near and far! For those who are going away (Japan, Taiwan, etc), now the family of Christ feels really global (though it always was and will be!).

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I Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Many people think of life as a big race. The message from the world around us is that we need to get ahead of others to succeed. In the letter to the Corinth Church, The Apostle Paul encourages us to participate in a different kind of race - the spiritual race that we run in following Jesus Christ. This involves training ourselves to stay focused on God in every aspect of our lives. We do this not only by going to church on the weekends, but also by regularly praying and reading God’s words in the Bible. Over time, we will start to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, we will also become more attentive to his voice and to know better his will for us. However, running the spiritual race is not easy. In fact, it is even harder than the grouse grind! The world is a beautiful place and it may have many wonderful things to offer us, so that for a little while we can be happy. Even so, nothing should replace the presence of God at the centre of our lives, and nothing in the world can satisfy our souls the way God’s love does. As Christians, to follow God faithfully and obediently and to put him above all other things is the most important task of our lives! Pray to God that he will help us have the endurance to run the spiritual race with our eyes focused always on Jesus Christ.