July 25, 2022
Read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18
12 We won’t dare to place ourselves in the same league or to compare ourselves with some of those who are promoting themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding. 13 We won’t take pride in anything more than what is appropriate. Let’s look at the boundaries of our work area that God has assigned to us. It’s an area that includes you. 14 We aren’t going out of bounds, as if our work area doesn’t extend as far as you. We were the first ones to travel as far as Corinth with the gospel of Christ. 15 We don’t take pride in what other people do outside of our boundaries. We hope that our work will be extended even more by you as your faith grows, until it expands fully (within the boundaries, of course). 16 We hope that our work grows even to the point of the gospel being preached in places beyond Corinth, without bragging about what has already been done in another person’s work area. 17 But, the one who brags should brag in the Lord. 18 It isn’t the person who promotes himself or herself who is approved but the person whom the Lord commends.
Good morning! Our God is an Awesome God!
There is a human tendency to compare ourselves to others. In fact, many of us are quite competitive in a wide range of categories: academic, athletic, appearance . . . A few years ago, I began participating in races. Notice my use of the word participating because I was in no way competing with many who enter races to finish with the best time. I was never a runner, but I love to walk.
One year at a relay for life event when some friends and I walked lap after lap, a friend suggested that we ought to do the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach. Afterall, we had shown that we had the stamina and endurance to complete the 13.1 miles. We all laughed at the thought of entering such a race, but the seeds had been planted. A small group of us decided to train for the race: not as runners, but as walkers.
Elite runners use these races as qualifiers for major events, but we were just there to have fun and accomplish our goal to walk that distance. We finished in about 4 hours, far from the record pace held by some, but we did it. At the end of the race, we took time to thank God for being with us along our journey. When I was telling some students about my race, they asked if I won (meaning did I come in first). When I explained to them that would not have been likely, they asked why I entered the race. I answered that it was a chance to set and accomplish a challenging goal. In participating, we each did our best with the gifts that we were given.
Our team had made shirts emblazoned with the scripture “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). We walked in faith as we took step after step sharing the Words of God with all who passed by us. Some even took a moment to make a comment. All we do should be done for the glory of God. Our God is an Awesome God.
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. You bless us so abundantly. Help us to see the amazing opportunities to share Your glory with the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: It is enough to offer my best to God.
Be joyful! Pastor Liz