Running this race!

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New Living Translation) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified It is not easy running the race of life, and it's certainly not easier running the race of a saved and anointed life. Life in general (away from the joys and successes that it brings) is hectic, challenging, expensive, tiring, tempting, tricky, full of surprises, demanding...and more! It takes a lot of faith and determination to stay in a sane and healthy place. This scripture above talks about the race of life that we are all a part of and the decisions we have taken, or are taking, or should be taking in following-through with our course. Hopefully, as we are reading this, we know what path of life we are going in. And if you are yet to discover your path of life, I hope that you have at least identified what you are looking for. NO matter what choice we make, make sure that in the end, it'll bring us eternal joy and satisfaction! Athletes run with the end in mind; however, to get to that finished line, they have to take one step in front of the other...each and every time, until the race is over. NO BREAKS, NOTHING! Moving at a steady pace is progressive. But if we run aimlessly, without focus or motivation, with no particular goal in mind, and no purpose at hand....then, we'll find that we'll waver, and lose perspective of what we are doing. It's at times like this that we tend to make adjustments to suit our present conditions, thereby gradually moving away from our first intention, and our primary decision(s). The word of God tells us to discipline our bodies to do the right thing, so when we talk to others, we are not found guilty of hypocrisy! In essence, PRACTICE what we preach! Don't let the desires of your flesh win you over and overcome you. Trust me, it'll take you off track, you'll slowly lose momentum and slowly welcome habits and cravings that you will not be able to easily shake off!!! As Righteous Women, it's important that we take life and our primary decisions seriously. DO NOT compromise what you believe in, DO NOT run aimlessly, DO NOT be one who is just running to kill time!!! Let your life and work speak meaning and define integrity! Don't be caught disqualified!!! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Amplified Bible) Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours. Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].