Training for a Crown

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25

Meditation: We live in a just do it, give it to me now, you deserve it, wait for nothing, microwave, instant society. Work for something? Persevere, endure, or train to attain what we desire? No way! Whether it is material possessions, education, career, or even ministry or a close walk with the Lord, we want it now!. We don’t want to wait and allow the Lord to prepare us for what He has for us.  Often, we don’t realize that God will work in His timing and when we push that timing, we risk running ahead of the Lord and out of His will. I think of Moses, how the Lord spent forty years building him up and then forty years breaking him down so that He could use him to lead the Israelites for forty years. We need to be willing to put in the time training and allowing God to mold us for His plans for us.

It is often said that our walk with the Lord is not a destination, but a journey. We are in training for our entire life on this planet. Training for what? We are in training for a crown that will last forever. It is the crown of salvation promised to those who are in Christ Jesus. While our salvation is not based on training or what we do, our usefulness to the Lord does require training. Faith and character building takes work and time. We cannot rush the process or look at the progress of others as a measurement of where we should be. It is a matter of learning to trust the Lord in every situation, growing in the Word of God and building a strong character that will withstand temptations as the Lord raises us up as vessels fit for His use. We need to seek the Lord and His will for our lives and not focus on other people or become so consumed with our desires for accomplishment (maturity, ministry or whatever) that we forget to continue our training.

Challenge: Are you in training to be used by God as an athlete trains for the games? Or are you running ahead of the Lord and seeking to accomplish things that perhaps He does not yet have in mind for you? Whether it may be career, ministry or some other area of life, focus on the Lord. Seek His face and His will for your life. Prepare yourself for what He wants to do with you.

Thought for the Day: Lord, help me to remain focused on you and train myself in Your ways so that I may be a useful vessel, fit for You to use.

Chris Garner

Used by permission – Fortified Marriages.

Maxim of the Moment

Love’s demise is indifference.