Struggle and Triumph: Olympians' StoriesSample

"Seek Jesus First" [The video portion of this devotional is not available on your device. To view this video, visit your plan at www.youversion.com] Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, one of the fastest long-distance runners in the world, won an Olympic bronze medal and has been a world record holder in the marathon. He raced to victory in cities like London, Berlin, Frankfurt, and New York City. Modeling what it means to live one’s life fully devoted to Jesus Christ is Wilson’s primary purpose. He wants his athletic success to be a platform for helping other runners, his fans and his Kenyan countrymen. He runs that others might catch a glimpse of Him. Winning races is not his first goal or prime passion. While he receives joy and energy from God when he runs, finishing first is not his purpose. Wilson is singularly devoted to Jesus. Drifting from his first love, Jesus, is what he fears the most. He does not want to wake up one day to find that he has settled for things of personal glory and fading value. Doing the right thing is trusting God and gripping His Word, no matter what others may say or do. “If (I) have faith, then I am not alone. The Holy Spirit is there. God is with me to advise me, to take care of me,” Wilson says. “I will always know that I am doing the right thing, and I will always try to listen to the voice of God.” Question: When you wake up tomorrow morning, will you do the right thing by committing yourself to keeping Christ Lord and intentionally walking with Him throughout your day? Make it a priority to spend time in your Bible, meeting in private with Christ. Will you read His Word, meditate on it, and then ask Him for wisdom as to how you are to apply it each day? Or will you launch into your day striving to attain things of lesser value? Prayer: Heavenly Father, I humbly ask You to burn into my easily distracted heart a committed love and thirst for You and Your Holy Word, the Bible. Give me the courage and resolve to hourly surrender all of my life to You for Your purposes and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.Prayer: Heavenly Father, I humbly ask You to burn into my easily distracted heart a committed love and thirst for You and Your Holy Word, the Bible. Give me the courage and resolve to hourly surrender all of my life to You for Your purposes and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.