The Only Race Worth Running!

2 Timothy 4:1 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you - keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. 6 You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. 7 This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. (The Message)

The young man in the picture above is Caleb Eradio Garcia. Today, Lord willing, he becomes an older brother. What he already is, is a runner! Last evening I offered to take him to a park with a playground in hopes of spending time with him and getting some time to exercise. The park we selected has a running track used by a lot of folks. Caleb saw the track and said, "Let's run!" So, he starts running. Head down, very serious, he ran. I would outrun him, then walk to allow him to catch up and he would shout, "Run!" So, off I would run, until the next lapse and again, "Run!" People in front of us would move over as they heard this little guy's voice and one man even laughed when he saw how little Caleb was as he yelled to his grandpa, "Run!" On our first lap, he fell and skinned his knee. We sat for a while, and a couple of girls walked by and Caleb asked, "Why are they walking?" In other words, why aren't they running. Once Mommy stopped the bleeding, guess what? "Let's run!"

Paul is like Caleb sharing with young Tim, the need to keep running in the faith. Paul is certain that time was running out, especially for him personally, but he presses Tim to keep going with the faith and the job ahead of him. Paul knows that Christ will have the last say on all people, both living and dead. But he also knew that Jesus was going to come in a revealing way to all people; but in the meantime, continue to share the Good News. He exhorts, "Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple." Paul warned Tim that folks might stray attracted to "junk food" messages, but for him to stay on course with the Truth. The key, according to Paul, "This is the only race worth running."

Are you running?

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to focus on You as I run the race of faith. Thank You for those in my life who lovingly challenge me to keep running. Let me be one of those for others. I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde PS I thank God for this special day in which I turn another year older! Thank you for the birthday wishes shown me through FB, Twitter, and texts. Please keep Nellie Garcia in your prayers as she's set to deliver via C-Section our newest grandbaby, Eliana Garcia this afternoon at about 2:30 p.m. Thank you all!