Keep Your Eye On The Prize

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV

How can we keep our eye on the prize if we don't know what the prize is? 

When you wake up in the morning what is one of the first things you do? When is the first time in the morning you talk to God? Whenever you do, which should be very soon after you wake up, ask Him what His will is for you. Ask what He wants you to do today, ask Him to direct your path, your steps and your conversations with others. You might be surprised where He takes you, who He asks you to talk to or where to go.

There are many prizes we receive in life. Some physical in nature, some emotional and some spiritual are examples. When we work out hard and try to finish our race or fitness goals, we expect some compensation at the end. When we run a road race for example, we race against our own time, against others (there are even those special elite athletes that get trophies and prizes for crossing first). We our compensated because we finished strong and beat our time, ran with a faster group, or even received a ribbon. We also benefit because we are making our bodies respond to the environment better: running outside, at a different time, in the elements, etc. We lose a few pounds, get a bit more tone and entertain a healthier heart.  So you see, we are compensated for pushing the envelope and going the extra mile. We are keeping our eyes on the prize - the finish line.

Spiritually speaking we are engaged in a fantastic race. We have been entered in to the most exciting race of all time - LIFE. Sometimes it is short and sweet and other times it's treacherous and exhausting.  Either way, we can't quit. We have to stay strong and continue to push the envelope and keep our eye on the prize of eternity with Jesus - the Perfecter and Finisher of our faith. He finished His race on the cross - and He finished above the bar. He even received the trophy all strive for - the High Crown and right hand seat next to the Father. Who would rather sit in hell without love, without relief, without Christ?

So when you feel like quitting or throwing in the towel, remember we are still engaged in this race. We are on the strongest winning team where we can even take turns carrying each other on our backs as we race (try this, it's nice!).  Keep your eyes focused on Christ, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. Seek for Him, talk to Him, think about Him, read about Him. Reread the verse at the top of this page.

When you engage in your workout or fitness plans today remember you are more than a conqueror in Christ - who gives you the strength to continue doing all things!

Try this little combo for a fun, yet challenging workout:
Do this for 7 full sets
5 Pulls Ups (or assisted pull ups)
10 Dips
10 Rows (any style, weighted)
20 Walking Lunges
20 Jump Lunges
20 Military Press with Squat (weighted)

After the 7 full sets go for a nice quick tempo run: 1-3 miles as you look forward to finishing your race, remember it's all for Him!

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