The Goal

     As I did a Bible reading today I began to think about the idea of a race. Maybe it's the hopeful onset of spring and the grand idea that I will actually get out and start losing weight or the feeling that I want to do so much with my life and yet sit back and seem unmotivated and passionless.  As often I am when i am working, I focus much on the task at hand (in this case QVC) and tend to forget about the "goal" of the future.  Being that I will be hitting the milestone of 30 this year I reflect on the fact that I have not become all that I want to be and honestly say I never really pushed myself as hard as I should have and could have. 

     Today I read, 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
"Do you not know that in a race all runners compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

     So I begin to wonder what it is I am running for. What is it that I hope to achieve after running my race? Am I even running? Am I in the race at all?
   
    Well I know I'm in the race but am I moving closer to the goal or am I standing still?  Sure I am making money so that one day we can be settled down and have kids, buy a home, save for my kids college, retire, and all the joys that come with that.  But is there more beyond that? Is there something greater than just living for myself.  Inside I hope there is, I hope to be able to use my future earned money to accomplish great things.  I would love to get to a point where I finally have my degree, I'm working in a field I love (sorry QVC), and volenteering my time in a way that impacts my community and the Kingdom of God. 

     I suppose working many hours can seem like I am trying to run the race. Money seems to help you accomplish dreams faster.  I can't get my degree until I pay off my college and then student loans.  When I pursue a masters that too will also cost money. And while I am doing this loan payments I also have daily life to pay for.  Now I am not complaining in any way because I love working to get closer to the "goal" however I sometimes feel that at this point in my life I should be more accomplished than I am and can be viewed my many as a failure. I guess I may be too relaxed in my approach to life that I sometimes feel lazy. 

     That is all about to change.  I will finish books I start, I will pay off loans and get a better career, I will learn more about God and peoples views on religion, life, and such, I will RUN!!!  I try to be the best employee I can be, the best husband, even best listener. Now it is time I become best Christian, Man, and Runner I can be. I need to train, to study, to gain wisdom and knowledge, and master self-control.