Last weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Heartland Triathlon. I have never attended an event prior to this one and was quite amazed and the many participants. Dedicated, hard bodies swam, rode and ran to the finish line. Very impressive! In order to make it to the end each competitor had to have undergone serious training. There is no way I, in the shape that I am today, could have made it to that finish line. Which brings me to the question on my mind; “When it’s all said and done, how will you finish your race?”
I Corin. 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it to subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
“The Christian life is like a race. It requires self discipline. It calls for strenuous effort. It demands definiteness of purpose. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)”
We should all run as winners practicing self denial in our attempt to receive the prize of everlasting life with Christ, which is our reward.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
“The Christian life is a race that requires discipline and endurance. We must strip ourselves of everything that would impede us. Weights are things that may be harmless in themselves and yet hinder progress; they could include material possessions, family ties, the love of comfort, lack of mobility, etc. (Believer’s Commentary).
Christians must put aside all things that get in the way or cause hindrance in their life in Christ. We must lean not on our own understanding rather trust that God is able to provide all we need. Also, we must be aware that this life is not easy but that God’s promises are true and his Spirit will comfort and guide us every step of the way.
Phil 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
“The goal is the finish line at the end of the race track. The prize is the reward presented to the winner. Here the goal would be the finish of life’s race, and perhaps…the Judgment Seat of Christ. The prize would be the crown of righteousness…the prize for those who have run well. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus includes all the purposes that God had in mind in saving us (Believer’s Commentary).”
As we run this race we press on the best we can in obedience, love and honor to our Maker because one day we will face Him in judgment for every deed. Our prize will be designed in accordance to our efforts here on earth, how we handled our calling and what we did to further the kingdom.
II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
“The thought is not so much that he fought a good fight but rather that he had fought and was still fighting…he realized that the strenuous race was nearly over…He had been running on the course and was in sight of the goal…Paul had kept the faith (Believer’s Commentary).”
Every day of our life we are involved in the fight. Every day we have the choice to either press on or give up. Our destiny is determined by our actions. How we live, where we place our faith and our lifestyle are evident to the world whether we will reach the finish line in victory or defeat.
Look at your life, review the pages in your story, flip ahead; see just where you are headed. Are you reaching for the finish line with anticipation and hope or are you lagging behind unsure if you’ll make it to the end?
How will you finish the race?
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