The Race Of A Lifetime

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.

1 Corinthians 9:25-26

One of my dreams was to run a marathon. As I watched the runners—including my adult son, Justin, and daughter-in-law, Maggie, and hundreds of others—taking off for the grueling 26.2 miles of the Memorial Marathon in Oklahoma City, something in me leaped for joy. Watching the runners, I was inspired by the discipline it takes to train for a marathon as well as the enormous endurance, self-control, and courage required to complete the race. These athletes had trained hard, yet they also faced obstacles on the course: some suffered with leg cramps or sharp pains in their sides, others were out of breath or exhausted. Yet they kept moving forward and didn’t look back. They stayed focused on the prize and finished the race.

Paul uses this athletic analogy in 1 Corinthians 9 to exhort believers not only to run but to run in such a way that we will win the prize. For Paul, there was no place for flaky living and laziness. He had his eyes on the prize and possessed the self-discipline of an elite athlete—and he encourages all disciples to develop these qualities as well.

One of the important things to remember is that the prize waiting for us at the end of our journey is so much more glorious than a gold medal. Philippians tells us that the supreme prize is one that will never fade or tarnish. It’s the prize for which God through Christ is calling us up to heaven. In the meantime, here on earth, we’re to run with purpose in every step.

Jesus, forgive me for getting sloppy and out of condition spiritually. I want to keep my eyes on you and run the race with courage. Grant me your strength and endurance to finish well!

When Charlton Heston was concerned about not being able to win the chariot race in the movie Ben Hur, Cecil B. DeMille told him, “Your job is to stay on the chariot. It’s my job to make sure you win.” So too for us—we’re just to endure and do what God has asked us to do and leave the winning up to Him.

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