Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Our second Olympics parallel is that each athlete focuses on competing in the event for which they were chosen.

Today’s scripture, Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) exhorts us…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Consider…
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) sent one team of 592 athletes to compete in the 329 Olympic events this summer. Although all of these individuals are superior athletes, they weren’t ask to compete in events that they didn’t try out and qualify. One team made of multiple individuals, each playing a specific role.

This makes me think of 1 Corinthians 12:18‭-‬20 (NLT) which says…
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

I love how the scripture points out the fact that God has put each part just where he wants it.

Just now I heard the voice of Psalmist Daryl Coley singing…

Sovereign, Sovereign
The Lord my God is Sovereign
He can do whatever He wants to do
He can do whatever He wants to do
When He wants to
God can do whatever He wants to do, How He wants to
Because He’s sovereign, God is God

The first sub-parallel today is God has placed you in the race He wants you to run FOR HIM!

I also appreciate the sarcasm of Paul when he says…
How strange a body would be if it had only one part!

The USOC sent one team, not one person to compete in the 300 plus events.

In the same way God has chosen many members to make up the one body, to win souls (gold) for Him.

Today’s second sub-parallel is that each athlete chosen is expected to do what he/she has been gifted and trained to do.

This reminds me of Paul’s message to the team in Ephesians 4:1‭-‬7 (NLT). He said…
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

Notice Paul exhorts us to lead a life worthy of our calling. The Holy Spirit is telling us that God wants us to run the race that He placed us in. That simply means bear fruit where you’ve been planted. You may not be able to help or influence everyone in the world, but you can make a difference everywhere you go.

When I think of the miracles that Jesus performed during His three year ministry, it occurs to me that He helped people where He was. He impacted the lives of the people that He came in contact with during His journey through life. The Holy Spirit is reminding me that Jesus modeled the way God wants us to live. In fact Jesus taught…
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. – Matthew 5:13‭-‬16 NLT

God doesn’t expect you to fill all of the world’s needs, that’s His responsibility. However, He does expect you to fill the world with good deeds that bring Him glory. As a matter of fact, that’s why He chose you in the first place. Ephesians 2:10 (ERV) explains…
God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.

The Holy Spirit is whispering that we should focus on doing the good things God already planned for us to do. Once again, I hear God saying run your race.

That’s it for today. Recapping the two Olympics parallels…

• God has placed you in the race He wants you to run FOR HIM!
• You’ve been chosen and are expected to do what you’re gifted and trained to do.

The Holy Spirit is telling me close by encouraging you to make sure that you focus on doing your part to bless God’s heart!

The Holy Spirit is telling me close by encouraging you to make sure that you focus on doing your part to bless God’s heart! Others will be blessed when you do!

Today’s song is…
I’m Willing To Do The Master’s Will

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)