“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!”
In the 1st century, the Romans celebrated both the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. The Isthmian games were held near Corinth; these were among the major athletic competitions of Ancient Greece. The Corinthians’ familiarity with this type of sporting event is why the Apostle Paul used this analogy to make it more meaningful to them.
Last month a dear sister sent me a song on YouTube sung by Pastor Keith Moore. It was entitled “Only on you”. The words state “my eyes are only on you Jesus. Looking to you, is what I should do.” The song reminded me of a runner running a race. Or better yet, believers, running the race of life. Anyone who is running a race should want to win. They keep their eyes on the finish line. Paul wasn’t just content with finishing the race; he too wanted to win by keeping his eyes only on Jesus.
Going for the Gold
My great-nephew Denzel runs track. One day I asked him a few questions about how he and his team train for a race. He said, when they have a track meet let’s say on a Saturday, they may train very vigorously at the beginning of the week. Then slow down as the week progresses so that their legs are fresher for the race that Saturday.
During the celebrations of the Olympic and Isthmian Games, competitors would spend up to ten months in strenuous physical training. They did it to get a crown that will not last; but in the Christian race of life, we run to get a crown that will last forever. Paul’s opinion is that we as believers should be as focused and dedicated as those ancient runners in the games. Our motivation in serving Christ is much higher; we “run” not for a temporary crown, but for an eternal one.
“Self-discipline is essential in the Christian life. It is important that we discipline our minds, our mouths and our emotions.” – Joyce Meyer
Be An Undistracted Runner
Hebrews 12:2 says, “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 sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [emphasis mine]
To endure means, “to remain, abide, not recede or flee. To persevere: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ.”
Runners are not focusing on the people in the stands. Depending on the type of race, they may not even focus on the runners around them. Their goal is to finish first. How did Jesus run His race? We know that He won, but how? Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He was focused on “the joy that was set before him.” Jesus endured pain and suffering like no one else. He not only endured this in the physical as He bore the sickness and disease of the whole world, but He also suffered spiritually and He literally became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He let nothing distract Him. In this Christian race we are to give Him our undivided attention.
Run Your Own Race
In a race, only one runner wins. Every believer runs his own race. Each of us is qualified to be a winner. We are not competing against one other, as in athletic games, but against the struggles, physical and spiritual, that stand in the way of our reaching the prize (Philippians 3:13-14). May we be persistent in our “race,” may we keep our eyes on Jesus, and may we, like Paul, finish strong.
Going Deeper
Is anything distracting you from serving Jesus? Is something keeping you from growing in your faith? As you run the race of your life, what do you need to do to focus only on Jesus?