Run For The Prize

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Ron’s hatred toward Ken consumed him. Ron was sure that Ken had been hanging around the preschool just to meet women, but why did it have to be his wife? Ron had been busy with his career, and his wife, Kathy, had been busy with the kids. But he never dreamed she would have an affair. He knew he hadn’t been as attentive to her needs as he should have been, but he thought they had a stable relationship.

Ron hated Ken for stealing his wife’s heart. He hated him for stealing his contentment. He hated him for complicating his life.

Ron hated himself too. He was losing his wife. In desperation he turned to the Bible. He read 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Only one person gets the prize.” He remembered from a sermon he’d heard in church that this verse was a reference to the ancient Olympic Games, where athletes competed with one another and each race had only one winner.

In an instant, Ron realized that only one man was going to win Kathy’s heart. But the other contestant, Ken, was increasing his lead every day because Ron’s hatred was keeping him out of the race. If he was to have any chance at winning his wife back, he had to refocus.

That day Ron decided to get back in the race. Rather than dwelling on his anger and hatred for Ken, he would try to win Kathy back. By resuming the race, Ron rediscovered his love for her. In the race, he found his confidence again. In the race, his affection for his wife overshadowed his hatred for Ken. In the race, Ron found he had the advantage, and he won back his wife’s heart. In the end, he won the prize of a stronger, more vibrant marriage.

Is there an area of your life where you feel like you are losing the race? If so, it may be that you need to refocus and start running like a winner.

Lord, teach me how to run as a winner and not a second-place finisher.