Run the Race of Life Well
I sat in church last Sunday with all that is in the world rattling around in my head. I was desperately trying to focus on worship and the sermon. I knew our Governor was announcing new Covid restrictions on activities at that very moment. I was wondering about how this would affect the small businesses my husband and I run, our church activities, and limit visitation with my mom who lives in assisted living. I was upset with myself, I wanted to be present in the moment and immersed in God’s presence.
All the while I felt like God tapping me on the shoulder with the words...
"Run the race well".
I don’t always feel like I do this well, at that moment I just felt like I was running in circles. I do trust that God is going to use EVERYTHING for HIS purposes, but sometimes I get wrapped up in HOW that is going to get accomplished. Can you relate? It doesn’t matter if I can justify my concern, I SHOULD BE completely OPTIMISTIC and EXCITED to see how God is going to use every circumstance. I want to be leading the cheer at the finish line in full expectation of victory; instead of burying my face in my hands and biting my nails for the final lap concerned whether or not God will remain victorious. It is so ridiculous!! It isn’t as if I’m worried that God will not prevail, I know without question that he will! I guess if I am honest, I am more concerned about whether I will be strong enough to persevere through what he needs me to accomplish in this life. With every trial we are EACH strengthened and should trust him more through every new challenge. Every day seems to teaches us this lesson in a new way.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
I want to shine God’s light to others. I want to help others run to Jesus without abandon. I want unbelieving people to see in me something that they don’t understand, something they don’t have, AND BE DRAWN TO CHRIST. None of us can accomplish this if we aren’t running the daily race of our lives well. We need to be giving glory to God for every moment of favor that comes our way. We need to draw our strength from our Lord. Thanking him for helping us persevere through the hard stuff. Trusting him fully when there is no understanding.
As I pondered about running the race well, I began to look for scriptures in the Bible regarding this. There are SO MANY scriptures about running the race well! I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised! The first written records of the Ancient Olymic Games in Greece date to 776 BC. Therefore it should be no huge shock that racing would have been a commom idea to use as an example throughout biblical parables, people would have understood the concept and reward for running. The ancient Greek and Roman games would have been a main source of public entertainment. Competition in these games was fierce. When an athlete won they would be given a crowned with a wreath of olive leaves, small gifts and sometimes a statue, but primarily they were celebrated and given fame.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
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. 25 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 forever.
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. 25 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 forever.
The race we are running is a different kind of race. One where we will receive an eternal crown of righteousness. Are you running this race well? If not, who or what is keeping you from glorifying God through this race we call life?
Galatians 5:7-8
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
As Galatians says, who is keeping you from obeying the truth? Any distraction that is keeping you from the love of God is a pretty obvious scheme of the enemy. So what is it for you? So much craziness to choose from in this day…politics, entertainment, family, friends, sports, etc. A little race fun here…..don’t let those things TRIP you up! Keep your stride toward the finish line! Keep your eye on the prize! Don’t look around to see how others are running their race, don’t compare your race to theirs. God has chosen your lane, he has placed you where you need to be.
Isaiah 40:31
those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah tells us the Lord will renew our strength, we will run and not grow weary. Do not be slowed down or tripped up by the distractions of this world, we have a race to run to eternal glory….now run! Run well!
I will leave you with 2 Timothy which gives us clear direction on what will come against us and how to stay focused. A message of preparation written long ago, but seems so fitting for this very day.
2 Timothy 4:2-8
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
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