In grade school, my classmates and I were required to participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Award program which involved accomplishing several feats of strength, speed, or agility including a 50-yard dash and a 600-yard run.

I excelled in the 50-yard dash but struggled with the 600-yard run. I loved sprinting but hated running. Still do.

I always ended up walking those 600 yards. To me, the award wasn’t worth the pain.

“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

My pursuit of Jesus and His way of life should not be like my 600-yard run effort. The stakes are very high. The prize is incomparable. Every day, I need to give it everything I’ve got. God deserves my best.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me your best when you sent Jesus to save me. Forgive me for serving you half-heartedly at times. Thank you for reminding me that you deserve and expect my full effort and attention on the tasks you have laid out for me.