Live Intentionally

One morning recently, Mister Bill and I left the house intending to have a late breakfast at a local restaurant. After three stops where we were dissuaded by full parking lots and long lines, we ended up having an early lunch instead. Lunch was delicious but lunch was not our intention! I fear this is too often the case in our spiritual lives: we intend many good things but we are distracted and end up off-track! Paul poses this question: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?" (1 Corinthians 9:24, NASB). It's a simple truth - the one who runs unhindered and intentionally focus wins. "Run in such a way that you may win ... not without aim" (V.24, 26). This is a new year and undoubtedly the days ahead will be full of "good intentions." What a great time to consider our intentions: am I running with the prize in mind? am I running to win? am I running with the aim of being more like Christ? If you're breathing, you're running. Run the race well ... live intentionally.