Run Till I Finish

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

A fire has been placed in me and I pray it does not get extinguished any time soon. I see the urgency of the message of hope that is found in Christ. I must use the gifts and talents God assigned me to reflect glory back to Him. I've sat around too long trying to ensure everything will be perfect. I wait for the perfect moment, perfect opportunity, or perfect timing. Well I've learned, just as I hope you have, there will never be a perfect moment to follow your dreams and pursue your passions.

I discussed with a friend the other day "if you aren't going to do what God tells you to do, what is the point of all the praying and waiting for an answer?". As soon as the words left my mouth, the enormity of the statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I am in a habit of praying and asking God to give me eyes to see and ears to hear. However when God provides an answer I tend to get fearful and make excuses for why I shouldn't do what He said.

Friends, I don't want to be that way anymore. I declare I will not be that way anymore. My pastor Dhati Lewis preached about the harvest being plentiful but the laborers are few. The next verse says to pray to the Lord to send out laborers into his harvest. "Send out" in that context is the Greek word ekballo which means "to force out". I am glad God loves me so much that he has ekballo-ed me from my comfort zone and unnecessary fear. He has shown me the harvest, and I intend to make an impact in His name.

I vow to God that I will run till I finish. I will continue to encourage others while proclaiming the gospel. I will continue to show people who they are in Christ. I will continue to tell my story of redemption without being ashamed. I will continue to live like tomorrow isn't promised (because it's not).

I am determined to run my race well. Will you join me on the track? We may have to jog or even walk at times but that's ok because God is with us every step of the journey. Let's go friends! We don't have any time to waste!

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)