²⁴ Don’t you know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize? So then, run to win! ²⁵ Now every athlete in training submits himself to strict discipline, and he does it just to win a laurel wreath that will soon wither away. But we do it to win a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Accordingly, I don’t run aimlessly but straight for the finish line; I don’t shadow-box but try to make every punch count. ²⁷ I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that, after proclaiming the Good News to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, CJB

While we must run the race that Father God has set before us, we also must be careful not to get ahead of ourselves. We must wait until the Holy Spirit has given us the baton, or we will be disqualified if we run our leg of the relay without it.

Once we have received the baton, that is when we sprint. However, let us make sure that we are sprinting in our lane, as well as dashing straight toward the finish line, for we will not receive our rewards—the Promises of God that have been saved up for His overcoming saints—any other way. In other words, we also must run to win!

Selah . . . pause and calmly think about that. Shalom . . . . .