“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV
In a story posted by Runner’s World last week, it was reported that Olympic medalist, Josh Kerr, will attempt to break the mile world record.
Josh Kerr has the world titles. Now, he’s ready to etch his name in the history books alongside one of the most storied world records in track and field: the mile.
On July 18 at the London Diamond League meeting, the Scotsman will chase 3:43.13 for the full mile. The world record mark was memorably set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco at the 1999 Golden Gala in Rome, Italy, with his Olympic rival Noah Ngeny of Kenya also running under the previous record in 3:43.40. El Guerrouj is also the world record holder in the 1500 meters, running 3:26.00 in 1998.
The historic records are almost as old as Kerr himself, who turns 29 later this year.
“It’s one of the most important track and field records of all time right now,” Kerr said to Runner’s World. “I’m not trying to do this quietly, because I think it deserves more respect than that. I’m at a point in my career where I have some great medals, I’m able to show up consistently when I need to, and I have amazing coaching staff and people around me that I think we can get pretty close if we’re not going to be getting it. It’s time to call my shot and try and create that moment for track and field…”
Ideally, he says, he will be able to roll into Commonwealth Games and European Championships after the London Diamond League in top condition but the record attempt itself is his top priority for the year.
And, if a priority can be defined as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives, you and I would do well to remember that we are called to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our strength. Which means God must have top priority over everything else in our lives, and we are never to entertain any “thing” that might compete with our attention.
You see, although it’s not bad to have goals and dreams, if we put them before God (like anything else that we put before God), they can quickly become idols and lead us astray.
This is the very reason Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Now while Jesus spoke these words in regard to worry, the same principle applies over every area of our lives. When we make God the top priority in life—seeking to spend time with Him first, praying without ceasing, meditating on the Word, and living to please Him above all else—life has a tendency of falling into place, bringing peace, purpose, and divine provision. In addition, when we seek God first, we are reminded that we have no need to worry about the things the Father knows we need and is faithful to provide.
This certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t have our fair share of trials and troubles though, but it does mean that we can avoid the self-inflicted problems that come from following the world rather than the Way. The problems that come from seeking our will above His will, and from seeking career, family, fame, possessions,titles, records, and self-interest above a relationship with God.
So, if you want to live a life of true peace and divine purpose, make God your top priority my friend. Doing so will ensure that your other priorities in life will be in their rightful order and you will be able to ‘roll into’ every new day with a smile on your face.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that cultivating and keeping a close relationship with You must be our highest priority and will ensure the rest of priorities fall into the right order. Help us to see both the present and the eternal benefits of loving You with all our hearts, souls, and strength Lord that we would put in the work it takes to seek You above all. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
In a story posted by Runner’s World last week, it was reported that Olympic medalist, Josh Kerr, will attempt to break the mile world record.
Josh Kerr has the world titles. Now, he’s ready to etch his name in the history books alongside one of the most storied world records in track and field: the mile.
On July 18 at the London Diamond League meeting, the Scotsman will chase 3:43.13 for the full mile. The world record mark was memorably set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco at the 1999 Golden Gala in Rome, Italy, with his Olympic rival Noah Ngeny of Kenya also running under the previous record in 3:43.40. El Guerrouj is also the world record holder in the 1500 meters, running 3:26.00 in 1998.
The historic records are almost as old as Kerr himself, who turns 29 later this year.
“It’s one of the most important track and field records of all time right now,” Kerr said to Runner’s World. “I’m not trying to do this quietly, because I think it deserves more respect than that. I’m at a point in my career where I have some great medals, I’m able to show up consistently when I need to, and I have amazing coaching staff and people around me that I think we can get pretty close if we’re not going to be getting it. It’s time to call my shot and try and create that moment for track and field…”
Ideally, he says, he will be able to roll into Commonwealth Games and European Championships after the London Diamond League in top condition but the record attempt itself is his top priority for the year.
And, if a priority can be defined as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives, you and I would do well to remember that we are called to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our strength. Which means God must have top priority over everything else in our lives, and we are never to entertain any “thing” that might compete with our attention.
You see, although it’s not bad to have goals and dreams, if we put them before God (like anything else that we put before God), they can quickly become idols and lead us astray.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV
This is the very reason Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32
Now while Jesus spoke these words in regard to worry, the same principle applies over every area of our lives. When we make God the top priority in life—seeking to spend time with Him first, praying without ceasing, meditating on the Word, and living to please Him above all else—life has a tendency of falling into place, bringing peace, purpose, and divine provision. In addition, when we seek God first, we are reminded that we have no need to worry about the things the Father knows we need and is faithful to provide.
This certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t have our fair share of trials and troubles though, but it does mean that we can avoid the self-inflicted problems that come from following the world rather than the Way. The problems that come from seeking our will above His will, and from seeking career, family, fame, possessions,titles, records, and self-interest above a relationship with God.
So, if you want to live a life of true peace and divine purpose, make God your top priority my friend. Doing so will ensure that your other priorities in life will be in their rightful order and you will be able to ‘roll into’ every new day with a smile on your face.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that cultivating and keeping a close relationship with You must be our highest priority and will ensure the rest of priorities fall into the right order. Help us to see both the present and the eternal benefits of loving You with all our hearts, souls, and strength Lord that we would put in the work it takes to seek You above all. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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