I’m not sure why I love the running and racing analogies found in the Bible, especially those favored by Paul, but I do.
True confession: I gave up running in the fourth grade – literally. At the ripe old age of ten, I realized my body no longer enjoyed the process of making the motion, so I quit. When I learned that passing the mandatory freshman P.E. class in college required that I run a mile within a certain amount of time, I panicked. I squeaked by with a passing P.E. grade only after weeks of awkwardly trying to run around the outside of the women’s dorm night after night trying to encourage my “running genes” to come to life. I soon realized that I possessed no “running genes” – not even “trotting genes.” Limp-along-genes was as good as it got!
But I love watching the beauty of the smooth, swift, measured movement of skilled runners. To see the human body, physically fit and performing at its peak, is a testimony to the awesome nature of its Creator.
During recent daily Bible reading and while scanning various Scripture passages, “running” and “racing” words caught my attention multiple times. Whenever that happens, I jot the words in my journal to think over later. Two of those words were “ready” and “set.” And when those two words come together, I can’t help but add a third, “GO!”
Ready, Set, GO!
Let’s spend a few minutes considering these three little words that in one form or another are used at the beginning of many different types of races. And let’s think about the implication of each word in the race to which we have been called.
As Christ-followers, we are called to be ready. That is, we are to be prepared to fulfill our calling as children of God. We are to prepare in advance so that we are ready, willing, and able to do, receive, or act in whatever way God directs and the Holy Spirit leads us.
That means like an athlete, we are to be perpetually nurturing, exercising, and focusing on our spiritual well-being so that we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually fit. Always ready. We stay attuned to the mind of God, aligning our hearts and emotions with His, and making certain that sin is quickly identified, confessed, and that repentance is sincere.
Paul tells Titus to be “ready for every good work” in Titus 3:1.
Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins – or bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13), five foolish and five wise. The bridegroom was delayed because of wedding negotiations and preparations, darkness fell, and lamps were lit.
As midnight drew near the foolish bridesmaids realized they didn’t have enough oil to keep their lamps lit, so they frantically ran to the oil merchants to purchase more oil and in doing so, they missed the bridegroom’s arrival and were shut out of the celebration.
The wise virgins were prepared, ready, and waiting for the bridegroom. Their lamps lit the way as they traveled with the bridegroom back to his home for the wedding celebration.
I don’t want to miss out on any good work opportunities because I have been negligent in my preparedness. Being prepared – or being equipped – will look different for each of us depending on how God intends to use us, but the fundamentals are the same for all.
Those fundamentals include being grounded in the Word, growing in your faith, consistent in your prayer life, and ever-deepening in your relationship with your Lord and Savior.
…In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Are you ready to step up, speak out, comfort, help, teach, whatever the opportunity, however large or small the task – are you ready? If the answer is no, ask God right now:
Father God, I want to be used by You – I want to serve You, but I don’t feel prepared to do that. What is the first step I need to take to be able to serve you well? If it’s a matter of willingness, make me willing. Whatever it may be that keeps me from serving You well, please show me the first step I must take and give me the strength to do it. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”
To be “set” is the idea of being laser-focused on an objective or purpose. It is the purposeful intention of obtaining a goal. It is to direct one’s mind to seek out or strive for a specific purpose or outcome.
At the “ready” position, the runner approaches the race equipped for the challenge. The “set” position is the athlete’s moment of refocusing on the goal of winning the race, remembering what is to be accomplished and why.
As believers, we are to be “set” – to remember and focus – on Whom we serve, why we serve, and what He would have us do to serve well and accomplish His purpose.
Scripture provides guidance on what we are to be “set” on. Here are a few verses that tell us where our focus should be:
– “Set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19
– “… those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. … to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Rom 8: 5-6 ESV
– “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV
– “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 ESV
“Set” is a matter of the mind.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
“Go” is easy to understand, but for many, it is the most difficult to execute. “Go” requires action. You actually have to do something. This is what James is referring to when he wrote, “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only….” James 1:22.
For the runner, “go” indicates that it is time to start moving. The race is on. All of the physical preparation (Ready) and the mental focus (Set) must be translated into action, or all is for naught.
The meaning of the Greek word carries the idea of starting a journey or carrying on with a journey that is already underway. For the runner and for the Christ-follower, that specific journey started with the “ready” and “set” stages. I’m not talking about your salvation experience here. This discussion is focused on you carrying out your calling, fulfilling your service, and walking in obedience to God’s leading and expectations in your day-to-day walk.
The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 is a beautiful example of a Christ-follower who had readied himself for service (Ready) and had demonstrated a focus (Set) on following God’s leading. So, when God said it was go-time, Philip went. God used Philip the Evangelist (Acts 6:5, 8:5-12) to spread the gospel in Samaria and throughout surrounding areas (Acts 8:40, 21:8-9).
The word “go” is used over 1,300 times in the Bible, but the most familiar use is in Matthew 28.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 ESV
Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples, and His words are for us as well. “Go, make disciples.”
How God intends for us to carry out that command varies by individual. The constant for us all is we are to be ready – prepared and equipped for the task, set in our focus on God’s specific call to service, and willing to go as He leads and directs.
Ready. Set. Go!
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct….
1 Peter 1:13-15 ESV