DADDY SCREAMED “WHY IS HE LOOKING BACK”

We were seated at the grandstand of the Secondary School Inter-House Sports Competition watching the events. It was one of the races for male senior students.

One of the athletes was already making remarkable progress. However, he began to look sideways. My Dad screamed, “Why is he looking back”. Needless to say, he did not win the race.

There are two categories of people in the race of life: First, there are winners. Second, there are the “I also ran” category. What separates the two are the simple words- “Patient Endurance”.

Take a look at Hebrews 12:1- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 AMP

There is running to attain the prize. There is running to show participation. The “I ran also” category are full of excuses and stories. They know everyone but they are not known for anything.

One of the things that can place you in the category of “I ran also” is distraction. Distraction is a neutralizer. It dissipates focus and wastes energy. The enemy does not have to fire a weapon once you are distracted. Why? You already have shot yourself in the foot.

The cheapest commodity of hell is distraction but many spend a lot on it. The devil knows how potent distraction is. It is cheap but gets the work done. Hell invests in distraction. Why? Whatever distracts you has defeated you!

How much time do you use to invest in your growth spiritually? Are you distracted already?

How much time do you invest in your spouse and children? Are you a distracted husband, wife or parent?

What season of the race are you in right now? Are you running with patient endurance?