Morning Devotional 080324 Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  August 3, 2024

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. 25 Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies. 26 So now this is how I run—not without a clear goal in sight. I fight like a boxer in the ring, not like someone who is shadowboxing. 27 Rather, I’m landing punches on my own body and subduing it like a slave. I do this to be sure that I myself won’t be disqualified after preaching to others.

Good Morning! Stay focused on the goal!

Many of you know that music fills my soul. I would describe myself as having an eclectic taste in music that ranges from classical to rock ‘n roll. As a child of the sixties and seventies, I reveled in the folk music resurgence led by musicians like Pete Seeger, Mama Cass, and Woody Guthrie. 

It is very common for songs to enter my thoughts when I read scripture. God metaphorically pushes the play button, and off I go on a musical tangent—not a bad thing! This morning, this Pete Seeger song was playing at full volume as I considered Paul’s words to the people of Corinth.

I got my hand on the gospel plow

Won't take nothing for my journey now

Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Hold on, hold on

Keep your eyes on the prize; hold on

Jesus taught us by his example not to let anything—not pain, suffering, or even death—distract us from our goal. Obstacles will challenge us on our journey, but we are to remain steady on our path. Another Pete Seeger song reminds us that “we shall overcome someday.” 

Loving God, Thank you for creating us. Jesus came and showed us the way, but we are easily distracted by earthly things. Help us stay focused on heavenly ones. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Even when we face obstacles, stay focused on God’s calling. 

Keep your eyes on the prize! Pastor Liz