There are two things a marathon runner tries to avoid: running out of energy before finishing a race and crossing the finish line with energy to spare.
Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. Redeeming the time requires pacing ourselves. Some think it heroic to burn themselves out at an early age boasting, “I’d rather burn out than rust out”. Others never burn out because they never get lit.
But burning out or rusting out are not the only two options. God’s way is to move forward at a steady pace as He gently guides us and shows us the way.
Redeeming the time means pacing ourselves for maximum effectiveness for the Lord.
And while pacing is good strategy for life, and it’s also an effective approach to daily tasks. What good is it to accomplish a day’s work before lunch if it leaves you with no further energy for the afternoon. So keep the pace. Keep the faith. Win the race. Redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
