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Let me begin by saying that life is all about running a race. Everyone is running his or her race. The question is: Where are you running to? Life becomes a rat-race when you have no clue about where you are going. It does not matter how well you are running, if you are running off-target, you will not get to the desired destination. Today many are headed in the wrong direction. There’s a “provision” made available in fulfilling our individual race in life. The word Pro-vision in this context means God’s provision for your vision. The vision for the race must be crystal clear before you can enjoy the provision made available. You can’t enjoy God’s provision for the race when you’re racing in the wrong direction. What really is a race? A race simply means a course that is set before you. In sports, a race can be defined as a competition between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc., to see which is the fastest in covering a set course. Here, people compete to outdo each other in order to obtain a prize. But in fulfilling God’s race for your life, it has nothing to do with competing with anybody. Yes! You will only compete with yourself to fulfil what heaven has set before you.

While admonishing his spiritual son, Timothy, Apostle Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). The question is: What race are you running? Are you on the right path? Do you know the destination you are headed? Are you truly running to obtain a crown that is set before you? You see, how we begin the race determines how we end. How did Paul run so that he may obtain his crown? The book of Philippians 3:13-14 gives us a clue. There Apostle Paul said, “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Apostle Paul set his eyes on heaven’s agenda for his life, without being distracted or loosing focus on it.

An old-time friend of mine visited recently, and we got talking. Somehow our discussion led to the things of God. Then he jokingly said, “Elvis, if I decide to open a church today, my message will centre on prosperity and how to raise money”. We laughed. Then I told him: “You are a business man. The church isn’t a place for business.” Later, while reminiscing over the discussion we had together, the Lord asked me: Isn’t what your friend said about starting a church happening today? Many have gone into the ministry because they see it as a lucrative business venture. It has become a route to overcome hardship by those who are not called. In recent times, we see ministers of the gospel always in the news for the wrong reasons. Many have questionable characters, and as such, they have brought reproach to the body of Christ. The question is: Why? The answer is simple! If God has not called you on a journey, and you embark on it, you will sponsor yourself. God makes provision for what He sponsors. Therefore, never join the bandwagon. Be sure of the race the Lord has set before and stay focused to the finish line.

One major hindrance keeping us from running the race set before us by God is Distraction. Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.” Due to lack of Focus, many have missed it. We look at what others are doing, then suddenly we join the rat-race to become like them, not inquiring to know if that is what God wants from us. For instance, someone will open a particular business, and the following day a neighbour quickly starts up the same line of business in the same location. Unfortunately, many have become copy cats, no longer originals. You’re unique (Psalms 139:14); so, run your unique race. When you become intimate with the Holy Spirit by fellowshipping with Him, meditating on the word, praying in the Spirit, giving thanks to the Lord, and asking the Lord to speak to you, then like Apostle Paul, you will not only run to finish the race, you will also run to obtain the crown that’s set before you in Jesus Name. Right now, be determined to stay focused and run purposefully for the rest of this year in Jesus Mighty Name.

Hallelujah! Have a Blessed and Fantastic Week. With love, Elvis!