“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?”
–1 Corinthians 9:24
I know people, some close to me and some not as close, that have great goals and dreams. So much so that they talk about those goals and dreams, and pray about them, and seemingly want to reach and exceed them more than anything else in their life, except for their relationship with God.
“Do 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. 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. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 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 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
They will even talk of how they want to glorify God through reaching and exceeding their goals and dreams.
They talk a good game…
But are they willing to do all that it will take to reach and exceed their goals and dreams?
Are they willing to sacrifice for those goals and dreams?
Are they willing to do the training and beat their body and mind, even if it hurts… even if there are tears… even if it means having to do it alone (on their own)?
Or are excuses too easily found?
They talk a good game…
Their intentions may be good and right… But are they truly determined to do all that it takes to reach that mountain top… to win the prize?
And… where does faith fit into the mix?
We can be athletes or business people.
We can work in the private sector or in the public arena.
We can be stay at home moms and dads or high powered C-level professionals.
We can be students or teachers.
No matter where we are on the path of life, this passage applies to us.
Not only because of its motivational value, but even more importantly, because of its faith focusing value.
“Run in such a way to win the prize…”
Most of us understand the athletic and professional story line in the passage, but do we always get the faith analogy?
Do we run in such a way that others see Christ in and through us in all that we do and say?
Do we even think like that?
I mean Paul thought that way because he was… well… Paul. But do we think like that?
Do we think strategically in our faith walk like we do in our professionals or our athletic training?
Do we run in such a way to win the prize?
Or do we just talk a good game?
Life is full of good intentions…
Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called…
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Think and Pray: Are you running your race as if to win the prize? Heavenly Father, help me to make the most of this life by following You to the best of my abilities and walking intimately with You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Marty Stubblefield is a husband, father, businessperson, youth coach, and former college basketball player. Having spent 34+ years in Banking, Bank Administration and State Government across the Southeast, he brings a different view of faith, life, and the struggles we face in the marketplace and our day-to-day lives. He has been married to Amy for 28 years, has three daughters, a son-in-law, grandson, and two Labradoodles. He blogs weekly at oldlazydog.com
