Running by His Power
By Shelly Schumacher
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Holy Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
By Shelly Schumacher
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Holy Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
Most runners will tell you that the sport is very empowering. Through it, the athlete can gain strength, focus and, in some cases, great success. However, when done by our own power, that success is worthless.
Olympic Marathoner, Ryan Hall, spoke of a time when he was struggling in his running career. He said, “Running had become my god.” It was the thing in which he drew his satisfaction. Any joy or self-worth he had was dependent on his success when running. He said, “I never found the satisfaction I was looking for, even though I was leading what most people would consider a sucessful life.” This turbulant time in Ryan’s life caused him to refocus his thoughts. He said that God taught him, “It wasn’t the record, championships or medals that make life fulfilling. It’s the life of following Christ.”
When we try to do things on our own power, we are destined to fail. We become like the foolish Galatians that Paul addresses in his letter. Like Ryan, the Galatians knew the truth of Jesus, but were being led astray. Gently and lovingly, Paul admonishes them to turn from their current ways and return to their life with the Spirit of Christ.
As Christians, our lives will only have true meaning and purpose if we live them depending daily on God’s power and refocus our ambitions to His. And, while our accomplishments may not be the world’s view of success, our lives will be fulfilled because we are experiencing the most important kind of victory – victory in Jesus.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you define a successful life? Is this definition in line with God’s view of success?
2. Is there an area of your life that you are holding back from God, not allowing Him to be in complete control? Are you willing to lay it down today?
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 12:10
Olympic Marathoner, Ryan Hall, spoke of a time when he was struggling in his running career. He said, “Running had become my god.” It was the thing in which he drew his satisfaction. Any joy or self-worth he had was dependent on his success when running. He said, “I never found the satisfaction I was looking for, even though I was leading what most people would consider a sucessful life.” This turbulant time in Ryan’s life caused him to refocus his thoughts. He said that God taught him, “It wasn’t the record, championships or medals that make life fulfilling. It’s the life of following Christ.”
When we try to do things on our own power, we are destined to fail. We become like the foolish Galatians that Paul addresses in his letter. Like Ryan, the Galatians knew the truth of Jesus, but were being led astray. Gently and lovingly, Paul admonishes them to turn from their current ways and return to their life with the Spirit of Christ.
As Christians, our lives will only have true meaning and purpose if we live them depending daily on God’s power and refocus our ambitions to His. And, while our accomplishments may not be the world’s view of success, our lives will be fulfilled because we are experiencing the most important kind of victory – victory in Jesus.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you define a successful life? Is this definition in line with God’s view of success?
2. Is there an area of your life that you are holding back from God, not allowing Him to be in complete control? Are you willing to lay it down today?
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 12:10
Shelly is wife to Nick and mom to her two girls. She spends her time freelancing as a writer/PR professional, and is active in Oakwood's worship and drama ministries
