Not everyone who starts the race finishes it. Paul wrote: ‘Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So I run with purpose in every step…I discipline my body like an athlete, training to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT). Paul wasn’t talking about his salvation here – he already had that. Instead, he was talking about his heavenly reward. We should pay attention to the words, ‘Otherwise…I myself might be disqualified.’ Here are some things that will cause us to stumble on our journey with God: 1) Not reading God’s Word and praying every day. 2) Saying no to God when He’s dealing with a specific area in our lives. 3) Wrong habits and relationships that cause us to compromise our morals. 4) Allowing doubt and fear to take control. 5) Losing focus on the tasks that God’s called us to do. 6) Overworking and neglecting our loved ones and our health. 7) Not sowing our God-given resources, skills and time into His kingdom. Let’s make this the prayer of our hearts: ‘Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting’ (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV). Then we can look forward to saying, ‘I have finished the race.’

What Now?

On today’s walk with your friend, chat about anything, big or small, that’s caused you to stumble in your walk with God. Pray about the things you’ve discussed, and ask God to help you both keep your focus on Him.