“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor. 9:24 KJV).
Everything in the Word of God is about progressing. Therefore, laziness will never get you anywhere with God. We have to have this attitude: “I don’t care what it takes; I’m going to get what God has for me, and I will do what it takes to get it.” If we think we can sloth our way into the higher things of God and get to the next level – we are sadly mistaken.
Make a decision. Do you want all God has for you or not? You see, it really comes down to how far are you willing to go. How hungry are you? How bad do you want the things of God in your life?
Let’s take the game of football for example. A team can have the worst record in the National Football League – let’s say they have a one in 13 record. And they’re up to play a team that has 13 wins and can absolutely blow them off the field.
Clearly that team is far more talented, but talent is not the issue. The issue becomes: who is the hungriest. If the team with the worst record has the attitude, I want to win so bad I will do whatever it takes – then they can win. I have seen it happen many times before.
Now that’s the way you and I have to be spiritually…the hungrier we are for the things of God, the further we will go.
Over the years, pastors have asked me how did my church get so large? Or how did I get where I am today? I tell them it’s simple. I work harder than they do. They never like that.
You see, they are looking for some magic formula. They are looking for me to say God did something with me that He didn’t do with anybody else. But I’m called to the same office that they are called to. God is no respecter of person. What He did for me, He will do for them.
Now it’s not by my power, but it is by God’s power. His anointing will flow in anybody who is willing to use what they have and stop looking at what someone else has.
So wherever you are right now, be willing to press farther into the things of God. He will take you higher in Him.
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ecclesiastes 9:11
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).