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Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Today I will be sharing with you what I title, “Running for The Audience of One.” Today, many are doing things for different reasons. Many embark on projects that do not concern them. Many run when they see others running without questioning where they’re running to. In the same vein, many are stationary, afraid to make a move, because they see like minded folks around them who are stationary at a spot doing nothing. If I may ask: Why are you doing what you’re doing right now? Are you convinced it’s what you should be doing? Or you’re simply doing it because you see others doing it? You see, in life we must be purposeful if we are to win the race that’s set before us. In one of his letters to the saints in Corinth, Apostle Paul said, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air” (1 Corinthians 9:26). What is Paul trying to pass across to us here? He’s simply saying that, “I am purposeful to fulfil my assignment here on earth; and I am convinced what I am doing right now is what I should be doing. Therefore, I will not lose sight of the goal before me.” Hallelujah!

Apostle Paul went further to make his point clear in Philippians 3:12-14 by saying, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; 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.” From the above scripture, we can see that Apostle Paul decided to maintain focus and stay on his lane without distraction. He has set his eyes on what God has planned for his life; and he’s running for the audience of one man – the Lord God Almighty. In Paul’s worldview, the opinion of others or what others are doing didn’t count. What matters to Paul is what God had set before him. Unfortunately, this is lacking in the lives of so many so-called believers in Christ. Today, if someone does not have what his neighbor has, he or she becomes sick. The intense craze to compete or outshine others have grown to an alarming rate that many are no longer originals but photocopies. It’s so bad that if you even hear some certain songs today, you can easily tell where the bit or few lines of the lyrics are coming from. Yes, you could tell the original singer who sang in that line.

Listen, you’re running your own race. Never get headaches from the accomplishments of others around you. If your neighbour buys an SUV Jeep today, don’t go into depression because you’re trekking now. Your own SUV is coming. Just have some patience. By the time it comes, yours will be the latest model in town, while theirs will become an old model. Can you imagine the difference between 2014 Mercedes-Benz SUV and 2024 Mercedes SUV? The difference is clear. Also, imagine 10 years from today, and you’ll discover that today’s SUV which many are craving to acquire will also be outdated. So, calm down! Yours is on the way. Proverbs 28:20-22 declares, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.” Just keep doing what is expected of you without slacking. Proverbs 18:9 says, “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Therefore, be diligent, and keep focused, and with God on your side. The world will rejoice and celebrate with you for the goodness of God in your life.

In my youth empowerment programs, I usually tell young people, be yourself. There’s power in originality. David declares in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” As far as David is concerned, why should I consider becoming like someone else when I am unique – so fearfully and wonderfully made by God – to fulfill a unique purpose here on earth. Listen, the moment you lose sight of who you’re, you miss your purpose in life. Daniel knew who he was in Babylon; the same for Joseph in Egypt. Neither of them was out to please anybody or willing to trade their destiny for a morsel of bread (Genesis 25:29-34). They were so focused on God. Someone like Joseph was not ready to trade his destiny on the bosom of Delilah. He was so confident to look at Potiphar’s wife and said to her face, “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has your husband kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness to sleep with you, and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9).

Hear me friend, you’re created to give God glory. The Lord declares in Isiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” And Revelation 4:11 declares, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Your existence on earth should bring pleasure to God. Therefore, our focus in life is to please God, not anybody. And because we should please God, we can’t afford to be in competition with anyone. Why? You have a purpose to accomplish here on earth. Your primary focus should be to discover and fulfil it, and not to pursue someone else’s purpose. “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey” (Matthew 25:15).

From the above scripture, it’s so clear that no one is born useless. We’re all gifted and talented to do one thing or the other in life. The onus is on you and me to discover our God-given talents and deploy it into useful ventures. It will be a life cheated on oneself to drop his or her five talents to pursue after two talents that God gave to someone else. One of the worst positions to be in life is to be wishing to have what you already have. Apostle Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 3:21, “All things are yours.” Therefore, locate all that is yours, and find contentment in life without wishing to be someone else. Never forget, in life you’re running for the audience of one – God Almighty – not your neighbor or colleague at work. You’re not in competition with anybody. Never be under pressure when you see others succeeding or running faster than you. Just stay in your own lane, remain focused, run at your pace, and fulfil your destiny. Do not try to be like someone else. Be yourself and be secured in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! Have a Blessed and Fantastic Week. With love, Elvis!