RUN IN SUCH A WAY AS TO GET THE PRIZE
How many of you have ever competed in a race? For most of us, I bet the answer is, “I have, but it was when I was younger.” I don’t think I have been in a race since I became an adult, but I sure loved to beat the boys at a foot race when I was young.
Even though I am no longer racing the boys, I will watch others race. I love watching swimmers compete in the Olympics, the Tour de France bicycle race, the Kentucky Derby, and even the occasional Nascar race. I can’t imagine the dedication and sacrifices that the athletes have gone through to be at the top of their game.
Some athletes are occasionally in the news because they got disqualified. They might have won the race, but the win is taken from them because they broke the rules. Most of the time, they have used an illegal enhancement substance that gave them an edge. All those years of dedication and sacrifice are down the drain, all because they decided to shortcut the process. They weren’t willing to compete honestly; they wanted an unfair advantage.
I am sure that you probably know someone who has decided to circumvent the rules. Some might cheat on their taxes, some might enhance their resumes, and some might make shady business deals.
Did you know that blogging is a business? I occasionally have a sponsored post which means that a brand is paying me to review their products. My review is my thoughts and opinions, but I am still paid for my time. Brands usually find bloggers like me on Instagram, and they set your pay rate based on the number of Instagram followers you have.
Like some athletes, some bloggers aren’t willing to wait for their follower count to rise, and instead, they decide to shortcut the system. They purchase fake followers, likes, and comments to inflate their reach. A brand looks at the number of followers and then hires them, thinking that they are getting someone with a lot of reach.
This is something that I have personally been struggling with. I see people who I know are buying fake followers getting lots of sponsored posts. So, they are making lots of money by cheating the system, and it has been messing with me.
We all know that the devil will use our weaknesses to try and prod us into doing something that gives him glory instead of God. He has been telling me that if I want to compete in this arena, I have to “play the game” and buy followers. The devil is always pointing out a post that someone got and whispering, “that could have been you if you would just go ahead and play the game.”
Earlier this week, I opened up my daily devotional, and it was about running a race.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
I’ve read this verse many times, and after I read the verse, I prayed to the Lord and said, “thank you, Lord, for reminding me that you have a race marked out for me.” I then decided to stop looking left or right and instead look straight ahead and run my race.
However, the Lord wasn’t finished with me yet. Later that day, I opened another 90-day devotional that I was doing, and once again, it was about a race. Except, this time, the verse was not about the race, but about HOW we run the race.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
RUN IN SUCH A WAY!!! All runners get to be in a race, but only the ones with integrity end up winning the race. Don’t you just love it when the Lord speaks to you and kicks the devil to the curb at the same time?
People will always cheat, game the system, and try to get ahead by taking a shortcut. But that isn’t me, and I bet that it isn’t you either. My Heavenly race is more important to me, and the prize is far too great for me to run the risk of being disqualified.
Take a few moments and think how the devil has been whispering to you. Let the Lord kick him to the curb, and start running your race in such a way that you will get the prize.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Tania, your inspirational posts are always so beautiful. Your messages are always so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing ❤️
I LOVE this! Great message reminding us all to keep our eye on the real prize! Thank you.
So good!
It is so amazing what I learn every day when I read my devotional. It is as if the Lord is speaking to directly about the exact issue in my life. I thank you for your good fashion advice and spiritual lessons.
I truly appreciate your commitment to remaining authentic and honest in your work. That is one of the reasons that I follow you!
Thank you for this reminder! Beautifully written.
Thank you for being honest about struggles. Keep doing what is right instead of more profitable.
You have touched so many hearts with your Sunday posts. Not only are you running your best race, you are a cheerleader for so many of us to run our best as well. Thanks, Tania! ❤️
Wonderful post, Tania! Very thought provoking. Thank you!
Great post! So sad that some feel they have to cheat to succeed. God gives us blessings everyday. Use them wisely vs for negative. Thanks
Yes, preach it!
You go girl!!!!
Wise words that so many of us needed to hear! Thank you!
Amen! Thank you for your faithfulness to God and for inspiring others to glorify Him in our words and deeds.
You’re already winning Tania, because you are following the Lord. God bless🙏🏻
I love this! Thank you for reminding me to be grateful for where I am today, and to continue to strive forward, not looking at who is further.
May God bless you and your blog as you run your race with integrity.
It doesn’t matter if some find success by cheating. They will always be with us. A strong foundation isn’t built on sand. It’s built on solid rock. If you can look yourself in the eyes in the mirror each day and be happy, that’s more important than making money or finding fame.
Your light shines and you have found great success with your blog. Your followers care about you.The cheaters are the losers. Things that are built slowly with care will last.
Signed: A 79 yr old know it all😊
Wow— encouraging words to keep running the clean race. Thank you for that today 😊
Thank you for another great Sunday post. I enjoy these so much, they always have meaning to me.
All right all right all right! Isn’t it the most thrilling thing on earth when God speaks through his Holy Spirit directly into your issue with care, mercy and clarity? To have that privilege is so much more to be desired than gains made by our own hands, whether they be right or ill-won as you described. You’re on the right path gurl….don’t cave to these pressures of the world. It just ain’t worth it!
Good morning Tania, this is a very interesting message and I too have read these verses many times. I don’t think of myself in a race, maybe I should since none of know when our time is up! I do feel strongly though it’s not worth my soul to cheat, lie, or steal. I had to laugh at your Instagram comment- I don’t use it so hope your income security is not reliant on me. Some of us just can’t get it.
Thank you for such a wise and encouraging post. May the Lord richly bless you for sharing His Word and His guidance.
Wonderful thought and gives me encouragement. Thanks
Another wonderful Sunday message! What devotionals do you read? I spend time with the Lord each day and I’d also like to incorporate a daily devotional. Have a blessed day!
Today’s post was terrific. 🙏🙏🙏
I always look forward to and love your Sunday posts….such a good way to begin a new week.
One of the reason I follow you is because you seem so real and honest! You be you! ❤️