But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 (NKJV) emphasis mine

In this verse, Paul compares the Christian life to a race. He speaks of running and finishing it with joy. How many of us are running with joy? Not many, I would venture to say.

Instead of viewing this life as a race to be run with joy and to be continued until the victorious finish, many of us run like we’re on a treadmill. Rather than enjoying the journey and anticipating the destination, so many of us get caught up in simply not falling behind. We are striving and existing, but there is no joy in it. We’re running to keep up so we’re not thrown off the treadmill.

A treadmill has no finish line; no goal or end. Running on a treadmill causes us to expend energy without getting anywhere. Treadmill runners have no intended destination. We can’t live life like that and expect to be happy. Every person has to have a goal or finish line in sight. Each and every person is to have a destination, or a God-given destiny. Do you have one? Or are you just running?

Paul said he ran “his race.” It was a defined race or course that he was following- one that was laid out by God. It was designed explicitly for Paul and no one else. When God creates us, He also creates a destiny for us- a plan, a course, a race. If we follow that course, we can run with joy. Life carries fulfillment and meaning when we follow God’s plan for us. Without it, we struggle, and instead of running easily, we trudge along.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-15 (NKJV) emphasis mine

Paul had a goal. He ran his race. He did so with joy because he knew his designated course and his intended destination. My friend, you have a purpose and a God-given assignment on this earth. You have a destiny and it is found in Christ and in following His plan for you. When you understand this and run with your eternal destination in mind, you’ll get a spring in your step. Your stride will become easier and smoother. Joy will enter your heart, and you’ll leap right off that treadmill and onto the race track of life.

Run your race with joy. The finish line is ahead, and you’ll cross it triumphantly because God has made you to be victorious.