Running the race

“I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.”    (verse 2:2)

Read: Galatians 1: 18 – 2: 10

Runners in a race are trying to set a new a personal best, improve their fitness or even win the race. As they run, runners need to make sure they are staying on course. If they go off course there is no purpose to their running. They are running in vain.

Like runners in a race, we all also run in this thing called life. And as we run we must stay on course or otherwise we will get lost and it will all be for nothing. In this verse, we see Paul challenging the esteemed leaders to get on course by following the message of Jesus. By checking in with the leaders, he put them on the right track; the gospel.

So as we run our race of life, what keeps us on course? God is the only one who can help us stay on course. As we run our race, we need to stay with God to make sure we are on course. We should pray to God and read his word to check that the track we are on is the right one. We ensure that we are not running in vain.

Whatever stage of the race of life you are in, look to God to help keep you on the right course.

Dear God, please guide and help me to stay on the right course and run my race for you. Amen

by Jacob Kemp (a student of Concordia College, Adelaide)