Listen to this devotion
Starting Out — Staying Motivated
In the Word
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).
Of the Word
Sometimes the enthusiasm to get up and start running just isn’t there. It’s too hard. It takes too much time. It’s too hard. (Yes, that excuse needed to be said again!) This is the time when a runner needs to examine the goals for running in the first place. Is it to lose weight, be healthy, or finish a race? Hopefully, remembering these goals and the need to reach them will motivate the runner to get up and run.
At times it’s hard to be a Christian. Going to church on Sunday and giving time to ministry takes too many hours out of our day. Sometimes being a Christian doesn’t seem like fun. If any of these excuses sound familiar, remember the Apostle Paul. He, too, had many hard times during his ministry. He may have had to remind himself of his goals and motivation.
Paul’s goal was to tell others of the salvation Jesus had earned for them by dying on the cross. Love for Jesus motivated him to share that story, and that same love motivates believers to run the race of faith today.
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, thank You for the love Christ has shown to me through His death and resurrection. May that love motivate me to continue in my Christian faith, even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 6/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
