1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It’s incredible to see what the human body is capable of when we put it through intense training. Truly nothing is impossible. Now imagine what the human heart is capable of if it’s put through the same training. We watch a video like this and get inspired to go out and play, to push ourselves to limits we have never seen or tried, to take some risks. If there were videos of Jesus in action and the churches of the first century our reaction would be very similar, but rather than dealing with our physical body we would be taking risks, pushing ourselves and serving like we never have before with our hearts. I hope this inspires you to dream bigger than you have lately and try something you may be afraid of.
Romans 8:28-39
More Than Conquerors
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
”For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[c] 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How can you not be inspired by the story of Nick? This is a man who truly understands what it means to have obstacles and limitations that can be more than overwhelming. We don’t need eyes to see we need vision. We don’t need hands to hold we need hearts to heal. We don’t need to be given anything, we simply need to give what we have.
Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Worry
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
There is much to learn from the wisdom of those around us, and the lessons they have learned through life. As we dream, as we hurt, as we fight, as we try, as we fail, as we cry, as we laugh, and as we simply grow up there will be lessons and advice surrounding every endeavor and hopefully friends around every corner. Throughout the adventures life may give us, remember there is a God who loves you more than we could ask or imagine. He has given us a hope and a future; he has offered salvation to those who would but come to the cross of his son Jesus. Remember to look around during your adventures because there may be people in need of a friend and a shoulder. As we have all been in need, there are many others who don’t have life as fortunate as we do.
Aaron Mullins
