If you know me, you know I believe Father God rejoices over me with singing. I believe He surrounds me with songs of deliverance. Today’s blog is a prime example of the way in which He does that for me. To help explain my point, I would like to share the story behind one of my songs.
In the days when I was still able to travel and take part in live ministry events, I was very keen on asking the Lord for brand new songs for those specific events. One of those specific songs is called Run the Race. Here is what I wrote about the song way back in 1996:
Each time God allows me to host a worship conference, I seek His heart for songs to encourage just that particular group of people. As I was in prayer (which means me singing to God) for a certain conference I was leading in 1996, I was led to sing from God’s point of view. The words for this song flowed out as I tried to tap into what Father was wanting to say to this particular group. What came out was simply His truth as derived from His written Word – a song of encouragement.
1 Corinthians 9:19-24 NASB the apostle Paul says, 19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, [I became] as [one] under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, [I became] as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
What the apostle Paul was saying is simply, “Life is not about me and my comfort. Life is to be lived for the sake of the Gospel. One of the ways I do that is that I find a way to identify with others I come in contact with in order that I might present the Good News of Jesus Christ to them. I choose to see my life as a race - a marathon - and I see Jesus as the finish line. I run to Him and plan on bringing as many people along as possible.”
Today’s song is a call from Father God’s heart to us. Do you have any area of your life where you feel like just giving up. If so, do this: listen to the song and disregard me…and hear your Father’s heart for you.
Be like the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 27:8 which simply says, [When You said,] "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "I shall seek Your face, LORD.” Let’ seek our Father’s face and find encouragement and the grace to endure whatever phase of the race of our life we find ourself in.
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let's rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
I’ll be honest with you. The I first received the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease I felt like giving up. I felt physically weak and unable to function. My brain felt foggy most of the time. I lost over 40 pounds. I began having panic attacks at the mere thought of being with people. My voice seemed gone - damaged and unrecognizable and raspy and unpleasant. People would ask me, “What is going on with you? You don’t look well.” I would tell them of my diagnosis and almost every person gasped a bit and said, “Oh, I am so sorry.”
I know they were trying to encourage me. It was just the pity and hopelessness I heard in their reaction that made me not want to be around people at all. And still others pummeled me with suggestions for cures of all kinds that I felt overwhelmed I honestly felt, at times, that I was being judged for not being spiritual enough or I would be cured. Again, this made me not want to be around people. It was during this time that I came to the place where I felt like God just needed to take me home.
Thanks be to God that I didn’t listen to the feelings I was having…or to the overwhelming amount of health and curative suggestions…or to the lies of the enemy.
I decided to run the race - in spite of Parkinson’s - and to use it FOR the kingdom of God. I am so glad I didn’t give up on the race. So grateful. I found grace to battle back from the severe weight loss. I found grace to fight through the foggy days and find clear blue skies in my thought life. I found grace and inspiration to continue creating music and writing books. I even found grace to fight back to a place of physical health in which my voice is strong enough to lead worship for about 40 minutes every Wednesday evening.
All I am trying to say is ‘Run the race with faith and grace and endurance.’ My personal plan? To enjoy the race - the epic, grand adventure called life, with joy - basically, to keep running until I run right into Father’s arms.
Let’s do this in the coming days. Let’s just keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and run toward Him as if our very lives depend on Him…because they do! And do this: in spite of our specific circumstances, run with joy toward the finish line…and finish well as you run right into Father’s waiting arms of victory.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear the song and The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog, go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/run-race-68321039
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2013/02/14/22/09/running-81715_1280.jpg
Run the Race
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
July 19, 1996
Verse
Run the race with all your might
Keep your eyes on the sight of My face
And though you fall you’re not done
Just get up and keep running the race
Chorus
For this race is not over until it is done
Though fallen or weary I’ve already won
Just right up keep running as if for your life
Don’t look back
Just keep your eyes here on the Light
Verse
Keep your eyes on the goal
I am strength for your soul by My grace
Through the fire like shining gold
Run the race ‘til you behold My embrace
Chorus
For this race is not over until it is done
Though fallen or weary I’ve already won
Just right up keep running as if for your life
Don’t look back
Just keep your eyes here on the Light
Verse
Run the race with all your might
Keep your eyes on the sight of My face
And though you fall you’re not done
Just get up and keep running the race
Run the race