Running The Race

In the world of competitive sports, many very good and promising athletes will compete for a title and even dream of obtaining the prize. However, relatively few will pay the price of the intense physical training and years of preparation that must take place prior to the competition. Even of those who try, many fall out of the race somewhere along the way.

In any contest, the important factor is not how many begin the competition but who finishes the race and completes the course, who wins the prize. Late in life, Paul declared, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rightousness... " (2 Thes 4"7-8). Scripture says we are to "run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking into Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith... For consider Him that endured ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb 12:1-3). From these scriptures we see various aspects must be considered regarding the race set before us -- the need of endurance; the focus of our vision; keeping the rules; self-discipline; and the desire and determination to win. If we lack in any of these areas, we will become vulnerable to defeat and failure.

Even with all the preparation and accuracy of perfection in any sport, unless one has the desire to compete and win, his training is useless. We can have all the know-how and go through the religious gymnastics of Christianity; but unless there is within us an unquenchable desire to follow hard after the Lord, to know him in his fullness, the final record will reveal our place as falling far short. Isaiah said, "the willing and the obedient shall eat the good of the land." (Isa 1:19). How far we will go in God is determined by the desire of our heart (psalms 37:4). According to the words of Paul, God is at work in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil 2:13).

Many weeks, even years go into the training of a successful athlete. The actual competition or test of endurance, however, is often a matter of only a few minutes, even seconds. Jesus Christ was hidden away in the carpenters shop till the age of 30, and even when he began his public ministry it only lasted for three years. Joseph served 14 years in a place he later was made to rule over. But those years were not wasted time. God was making him into the man he knew would be needed to fit the task. He could not enter into it unprepared. God is at work in us now to prepare for the days that lie ahead. We must not take lightly this time of preparation. God is patient, working for eternity, and his timeable is not like that of man. With him, "a thousand years are as one day."

An important part of God's training program is becoming sure-footed. Before we can compete we must become "established, firmly rooted, grounded and settled in the faith." (1 Thes 3:13; 2 Thes 2:17; Col 1:22,23; 2:7). This period of preparation is necessary to strengthen our spiritual muscles, "by the reason of use," through practice (or, exercise -- Heb 5:14). In order to enter the race, or even qualify as a contestant, one must learn to cast aside anything detrimental to his program of training. Following Paul's exhortation of 1 Corin 9:24-27 is a chapter containing examples of certain pitfalls, things we must learn to flee! Some are blatant sin, others are simply weights - but both, if allowed to continue, will deter our progress and eventually prevent us from coming through the line victoriously.

To qualify for the finals, one must abide by the rules of the competition. In God's kingdown, as well, certain laws and guidelines must not be violated. Jesus spoke of those who offered to work for him but did not complete the instructions. Afterwards, they went on their own ways.

Many focus on the initial speed of their progress, but overlook one far greater factor of successful athletic competition: consistency. We may start out in the front lines, leading, but if our progess is not consistent -- if we become entangled with the affairs of this life (2 Tim 2:4; Gal 5:1) -- we will fall back as we weary with the stress of the race. Our lives in eternity are being affected now by the many choices we make daily. "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might recieve the promise." (Heb 10:35-36).

---After reading through what I had just written, God had me stop and think of myself as an athlete. For where would I be if I had God's wisdom, knowledge, strength, to carry on in my competitions? When thinking about this I replied back to God and told him, "I wouldn't be where I am today Father if I have had accepted you into my life before my running career. I probably would have kept on running away from You, and the plans you had for me as Your child. Running would have just been a scapegoat from all the hurt, pain, sufferring, and sadness i was going through. For you had the PERFECT time to come into my life and save me, and I wouldn't trade You as My God for anything else in the world. You are the Father that has always been here for me, you are the Father that never hurt me, that never abussed me, that never gave up on me, that never missed a single race. You gave me this experience to help reach and teach other athletes who have been through the same experience i've been through. For I will carry each athlete to the finish line if it involves sacrificing my life Father. I say all of this in the glory of your heavingly name Father, amen..."