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Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25, ESV

There are so many things in this world that distract and seek to destroy us. Our eyes don’t often see things the way our Lord sees them, and our hearts can be bogged down in the issues of this world. We become enthralled by the various novellas of this world and fascinated by the storyline, losing sight of the things God is doing for us in the world. It can cause us to prioritize our own interests and entertainment over God and spiritual growth. We may begin to see worship more about what we receive from it than about keeping our minds and hearts focused on God. These are the things that distract us from the race at hand and may cause us to fall off the path altogether. The race we are running isn’t competing to be better than another follower of our Lord, but a world that is working to tempt us away from the salvation of our Lord by causing us to give up. As we run the race toward our Lord, drink deeply from His fount of grace, breathe in His saving breath, and carry on in His peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.