Justin Self

Stir Up Your Gift 2 I love the physical, mental, and emotional stretching that takes place during running. When I'm running, I can feel any built up stress dripping out of my pores, and fresh energy rises from the inside. After the first few miles I hit my stride-- my breathing and legs are in sync; I've found my rhythm. I look down at my watch and take note of my pace. I'll stay here until the terrain changes. I'm in the zone. Many times God speaks in terms of running in the Bible, which I totally connect with. Check this one out in Hebrews 12, Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus... Over the next few weeks, I'm going to continue going through the powerful imagery contained in this verse and the powerful message it brings to our daily lives! Today, I want to focus on the idea of running your race. Did you know that each of us has a different race to run? My race doesn't necessarily look like your race, and your race doesn't look like mine. You train differently than I do. My training plan won't always work for your race, and that person you respect and honor is running their own race-- you can't judge your own race by someone else's pace! Last week I introduced the concept of stirring up the gift of God that is inside you-the passions, desires, and purpose you were born with. We talked about how to cultivate the passion in your heart through spending quiet time with Jesus, and how to begin the adventure of dreaming big. God has a perfect purpose for your life, and it's our job to ask Him about that purpose. One of the ways we discover our purpose is through examining our own desires and passions that God placed inside our hearts, according to Psalm 37:4-5. But how do you discern whether your dream is from God, the devil, or a fleshly ambition from yourself? How do you fan that passion from a warm spark to a blazing fire? How do you turn a blazing fire in your spirit into physically stepping out into your God-given purpose? Before answering these questions, I want you to notice that the writer of Hebrews gives usvital insight into following your specific purpose in life. Training Like an Athlete This verse likens the race that is set before each of us to the competitive Greek games of Paul's day-- much like the athletic competitions we hold today, similar to our modern Olympic Games. The metaphor of competing and training as a committed athlete shows up many times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is trying to tell us something! Our lives are meant to be purposeful, intentional, and disciplined in the same way a professional athlete gives his life to the pursuit of winning the ultimate prize in his or her field of competition*. The mindset of an athlete is not for the faint of heart and requires sacrifice on many levels. But when you decide that you want to participate in the race, the Holy Spirit will take you on a great training regimen; for He is your Personal Trainer! Like training for a physical competition, training for your God-given calling doesn't come naturally-- you have to build and exercise your spiritual, emotional, and mental muscles--your character, faith, and trust that God knows what He is doing. This kind of purposeful life is full of danger, hurdles, adversity, and even persecution, but the payoff is worth it. The eternal reward waiting for those who "strive after the crown" is immeasurable in earthly currency. One of the greatest dangers you will face when stepping out into your purpose is comparing your race to someone else's pace! We need to be careful that we don't miss out on what God has for us because we are overly focused on the life and journey of another person. Instead, we should be asking the Lord, Help me learn from this person's failures and successes; but what is it that You've given me that is unique to the race You've set before me? Staying in Your Lane Running your race is vital to the success of the plan of God on this earth. One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Teresa, "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." If you and I each run our own race with the discipline, passion, fully bent on winning, we can accomplish much more together than we ever could on our own. That is why it is imperative that each of us receive a word from God about our own life's purpose-- and that we don't get caught up in comparing our race to someone else's pace. If you focus on the person in the lane next to you, you will inevitably stray from your own lane, and you will lose your race-- not because you were weak or unprepared, but because you shifted your focus off of your own lane! Which Race Should I Run? This may sound silly, but the key to running your race is knowing which race you are running! It seems trivial, but if you don't know which lane on the track is your lane, you certainly won't run your race well. You may find yourself running through the grandstands or in the parking lot when you belong on the track! As our culture continues to shift towards more convenience and luxury, we need to be careful to remember that we are constantly engaged in spiritual warfare. This life is not a dress rehearsal! We need to have the mind of a serious, committed athlete in order to take ground from Satan in the battle for the lives of those who haven't yet accepted the gift of life Jesus purchased for mankind. All of our races include bringing lost people into the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is within that greater mission that our specific roles (our lanes!) in the Body of Christ differ. So how do you know which lane is yours? Here's a secret: you and I are simply unable to discover our purpose on our own! Jeremiah 10:23 proves this, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." We absolutely need the help of the Holy Spirit! He knows which training regimen is exactly perfect for us, and if we ask Him, He will reveal the will of God to us. God's will is not mysterious; rather, it is made clear as we renew our minds to the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to our hearts. You Won't Fulfill Your Purpose Accidentally Without a word from God, you and I are naturally going to "go with the flow"--the path of least resistance--and we will not accidentally fulfill God's will for our lives. Running the race set before us takes dedication, effort, and discipline! Just like a gold medalist doesn't stand on the podium by accident, but through excruciatingly hard work and intense dedication, we must rise to a new level of commitment and fortitude in order to fulfill God's plan for our lives. Finding God's will for your life is an adventure, but you must decide to step out of your comfort zone and say, "I choose to be everything I was designed to be, regardless of the cost!". You must decide to get out of the grandstands before you can begin running your race! God has a specific word waiting for you! The Bible calls this a rhēma word. Rhēma is the Greek word used to depict a specific, spoken and living word from God directly to you. It is imperative that you receive a rhēma word from God in every season you are in! A true rhēma word from God will provide the exact spiritual nourishment and exercise plan you need for the race you are currently in. A rhēma word isn't necessarily lengthy. God usually speaks to me in phrases or using certain scriptures. Sometimes He just impresses a single word in my heart. Here's a practical rule to apply to anything you aren't 100% sure is from God or not: if the impression or word can stand up to the "Word Test", then it can be your rhēma. Here's how to apply the "Word Test". Does your "word" match up perfectly with scripture? If not, throw it out! God's Spirit will always, without exception, agree completely with His Written Word. Next week, I will share some specific examples of what this looks like. Something to Think About! I want to encourage you to step onto the track and begin running your race! You will never fulfill your purpose by watching others and cheering them on, even though that is more comfortable. According to Hebrews 12:1, You are called to compete in your own race! There is a crown of victory laid up for you, but you must compete to receive it! Today I want to encourage you to ponder these questions and bring them before Jesus in your quiet time. Am I purposefully running the race God has set before me with determined focus, or am I comparing my race with another runner? Am I fully committed to training, running, and competing in my race? Or, am I just spectating and cheering others on in their races? What are the consequences that I face in shying away from my God-ordained race? What training regimen is the Holy Spirit leading me into in this season? What is my rhēma word(s)? If you aren't sure about your rhēma in this season, please take some time and go through the meditation "Workout" from last week's blog and write down what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Now, apply the "Word Test". Still not sure? Why don't you take it to your pastor or another spiritual leader in your life and ask them? I pray this word encourages you and ignites a fire in your heart to find, follow, and fulfill God's will for your life. Next week, we will continue the discussion of what it means to Stir Up the Gift inside you. Peace! *For a detailed look at the Holy Spirit's powerful message on the believer's duty to train like an athlete, please see Rick Renner's revolutionary book, Life In The Combat Zone. I have been impacted greatly by this powerful book!