Running to Win

On Saturday I did it! I ran in my first race - it was a 5K (3+miles). And it was an agonizing run with big hills, temperatures in the 30's and high winds. I knew I would not be the first to cross the finish line (especially when I saw all the young college students arriving! That was intimidating to this 33 year old stay at home mom!) but - I ran my hardest! I gave it my all. I ran at my max level for nearly 30 minutes and pushed myself as if I was running to win.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 says "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 for ever. 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."

Paul says "Run in such a way as to get the prize." Paul is using the analogy of running in a race to describe how we are to live the Christian life. On race day, I didn't gingerly jog along aimlessly. I had a goal - to keep my eyes fixed on a friend (Kimi- pictured above in royal blue) who I knew was faster than me. My only goal was to keep her in eye sight - and as I ran, I ran with my eyes fixed on her. She ran the first mile at a pace that I could barely keep up with. I found my side hurting and a desire to stop and walk - but I didn't - I pressed on and I stuck with my goal - to not let her get out of eye sight.

As the second mile began, we were also about to climb a hill - I knew I couldn't run that hill. We had practiced on the hill previously and at the pace I ran that first mile - I didn't really have it in me. So - I walked a little - but then I realized she was not walking - she was running - and slowly slipping farther away from me. I saw my goal slipping away - and I picked up my feet and ran - I ran harder and faster than my mind and body wanted to - but my goal kept me going! In the end, she and I crossed the finish line only seconds apart from each other and what did I receive for reaching my goal? Nada! Nothing! Oh yes, a sense of accomplishment - but in the spiritual realm - that is temporary. But I learned a spiritual lesson about how I want to live my life for God.

Paul says, in life "do not run aimlessly!" "Run in such a way as to get the prize." "I make my body my slave so I will not be disqualified from the eternal prize!"

How are you living your life for God - do you run aimlessly - or are you focused on pleasing God. Are you making your body your slave - so that your sinful desires do not disqualify you from heavenly rewards? Or are you a slave to your body and all it's fleshly desires for pleasure and fun.

Are you running hard? The Christian life can be intense with stress, exhaustion, and pain. But you must not give up! You must discipline your body to press on - exert all the energy and strength you have to please God. Do not run aimlessly. Hebrews 12:1-3 are some of my FAVORITE verses and guess what, they talk about a race!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Do not grow weary, do not lose heart. Having my eyes fixed on my friend kept me in the race when I wanted to give up - Fix your eyes on Jesus. Fix them!!! He will pull you through those hard times. You only live once - RUN TO WIN "a crown that will last forever"!!!

Walk with the King!

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