Running The Race

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Nobody in the recent Olympic Games went to the starting line of a race expecting to lose. Each individual went to the mark with one thing in mind-a gold medal. Not the silver, or the bronze; no sir, they wanted that gold medal. They knew no matter how many opponents they had to face if they did their very best they may achieve their goal and win that prize set before them.

Paul said the object of the race was to receive the prize. Too many today settle only to compete, but that was not Paul's instructions. It's important to participate in the race, but you have to run it with purpose. What good is running if there is not a reason to race. You might get a good cardio workout, yet never accomplish what you desire to because you had no specific goal in mind.

You run to obtain a prize!

Philippians 3:14 "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

You run to obtain your objective!

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us..."

You run to finish your race!

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

Racing, without the desire to win, is like fishing and wanting to catch no fish. No fisherman enjoys going to a lake, pond, or river and catching no fish. Sure, it's relaxing, but they didn't go there to relax-they went to catch fish. Running a race to win takes will power, intestinal fortitude, and endurance. You train constantly to be the first to cross the finish line. You focus on your goal and then do your best to attain it.

In our society today we tend to give up if we don't be successful the first time. A runner never gives up until the end unless there is an injury during the race. Some even overcome them because of their sheer desire to cross the fish line. Maybe that's why Paul concluded his journey with these words:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith...."

Will you be able to say the same thing?