Running the Race

 ²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9:24-27 NIV)

    Racing must be one of the most nerve-racking things to do in life. I remember when I was younger and I used to run for school sports, I hated it. I was a relay runner (and not a very good one might I add). My heart would be pounding from the time I get into starting position, my palms would be sweating and I wouldn't be able to think straight. In my 9 year old mind, it seemed like I had so much to do: try not to fall, avoid the massive pot holes in the grass, try not to fall, come first and oh yeah...you guessed it, try not to fall. I didn't always achieve these goals but when I did, I felt awesome. There's nothing like holding a shiny trophy in your hand. 

   But the glory of winning a physical race here on earth is short-lived. It is nothing compared to what God promises us if we finish this race called Christianity. As (1 Cor 2:9) says, "...No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him." We can't even imagine how AWESOME heaven will be. But before we get to the prize, though, let's talk about the race: there are three things you must remember:

• The race that God calls us to run is not a sprint. It's a marathon.


• Some Christians get anxious when it feels like every other Christian  around them is growing in their faith by leaps and bounds but they themselves are moving at snail pace. This race isn't about speed, it's about endurance. Everyone doesn't grow at the same rate. Philippians 2:13 says "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose". God gives us the desire to do His will and he enables us to accomplish it so don't compare yourself to others. God will work on you in His own time. Just focus on being obedient to Christ and allow Him to work in and through you.


• Don't look to the left or the right. Don't look back.

• Distractions, distractions, distractions. You can always count on the enemy to be on the sidelines trying to get your attention, trying to divert your focus. There are so many things in the world that catch our attention: fame, fortune, drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography...and the list goes on. This is where spiritual blinders come in. Most people know what blinders are but for those who don't, they are made of leather or sometimes plastic and are placed on either side of the horse's eyes to prevent the horse from looking back or looking sideways. They allow the horse to focus on the race without being distracted by the crowds. We need spiritual blinders. Hebrews 12:2 says "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." and 2 Corinthians 4:18 says "so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". Our gaze must remain fixed on Jesus Christ. We must remain in continual communion with Him through prayer, we must read God's Word. Do not run like a man running aimlessly! You have a goal, you have a crown waiting for you at the finish line, you have an eternal home in God's Kingdom! So keep your gaze fixed upon Christ.
• Don't be disqualified!
• I remember watching an episode of My Wife and Kids where Jay was training for a marathon and she convinced Michael to join her. In the days leading up to the race, Jay was eating healthy and training and Michael was eating all kinds of junk food. On the day of the race, Michael started out at the front of the race, arms swinging and feet stepping high, for about a couple of meters and then he began to falter and everyone started to bypass him, including Jay! So Michael decided to take a cab to the finish line, hoping that Jay wouldn't find out but eventually she did. Now Michael didn't get disqualified from this race but he did cheat and sometimes we think we can do the same thing in our Christian lives. We think we can hop in a "cab" and be driven to the finish line but it doesn't work that way. We think we can breeze through the race of life and win the prize but it's not that simple. We must train, we must discipline our bodies. In verse 27 Paul says "I beat my body and make it my slave". He doesn't mean this literally. God doesn't want us to hurt ourselves physically. It just means, don't allow your flesh to control you! Don't be governed by your sinful nature. Instead, yield yourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit and follow God's leading. Most of us start off the race well but somewhere along the line we become weary of the trials and tired but we must remember that Jesus said if anyone would come after Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. The race will not always be a bed roses: there may be some cramps along the way or a stitch in your side but Jesus said "...never will I leave you, never will I forsake you...". 

God will be with us every step of the way. He will give us strength for the journey. He will give us the endurance it takes to finish the race and He will be there when we finish the race to give us our crown and welcome us into His Kingdom, saying "Well done, good and faithful servant, well done".