Dear Friends,

Three runners adjusted their blocks, stretched their leg muscles, and prepared for a qualifying heat in the hurdles. In this event, racers use exact pacing in between hurdles so they can glide over them without clipping one. A poorly calculated jump could end the participant’s race on the spot.

One of the runners struggled after he hit the first hurdle. He attempted to adjust his pace but continued knocking hurdles down. The fourth one he missed entirely, causing him to lose his balance and crash. Surprisingly, he arose, leg bleeding at the knee, and finished the race.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

The apostle Paul had two priorities in life: to finish the race for eternal life and to share the gospel message with all who would listen. Likewise, both tasks should top the list for today’s Christian.

Prayer Suggestion: Lord, help me focus on the most important objectives in life, so when I reach the end of my race I will have completed all of them.