Run the Race
When you hear the term “run the race,” what do you think of? For me, I instantly think of athletes or a sporting event. You see, I grew up an athlete so I’m very competitive. If someone challenges me to a 1v1 basketball game, you better believe I’m taking them down. Challenge me to a race? I’m going to give it my all. Even playing a board game you will see my competitive side come out. Being so competitive can almost seem like it’s a bad thing at times, but I choose to use it to my advantage. I aim to do everything with 100% effort and to the best of my ability.
Not only is this my goal in sports and competitions, but in my everyday life as well. The Lord has placed purpose on each of our lives and I want to live that out with intention and give it my all. Acts 20:24 says, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” I love this verse because it reminds me that this life is not all about me. It’s not all about winning or being the best. My life is so much bigger than me. My only aim and my only focus should be Jesus and everything that has to do with Jesus. Loving people like Jesus loves us, sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone around me, and living out my purpose and my calling for Jesus. To Him be the glory in all that I do. That is the race that I will run. That is the race that counts and that is worth it. It’s not always going to be easy. Some days you may feel like you just can’t finish the task. The race is too long. You’re overwhelmed and tired and you just want to give up. In those moments, I pray that we remind ourselves that when we take one step, God takes 99. He meets us where we are at, but He doesn’t leave us there! We can’t finish the race alone. He gives us the strength we need. It’s going to be hard but it’s going to be worth it.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? So, run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” This verse has challenged me so much over the years. It has completely shifted the way I run my race. It’s not saying that there is only going to be one Christian that wins the race and the favor of God. The point of this verse it to tell us to run like the winner runs. How does the winner run? With intention and purpose. He runs hard. He doesn’t walk and take his time to get across the finish line. He’s disciplined, eager and fervent. He gives everything he has. This is how we should run. This is how we should fight. Like I said earlier, it’s about running and fighting for something so much more than yourself. It’s eternal! The task placed before us is to fight for the Kingdom. To give it your all so that people can have a chance to hear the gospel and the Lord can speak to them. That’s what it’s all about!
As an athlete, I would always ask myself, “What is it going to take for me to get better? For me to be the best I can be?” As a Christian, I ask myself, “How can I look more like Jesus today? What is going to bring the most impact to the Kingdom?” It takes self-control and preparation. It takes you waking up every day and choosing to live for the Lord. Make the choice. Take the time in the private and you will be prepared in the public. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2.
Challenges:
Choose God. Like I mentioned earlier, this life is not always easy. It can feel exhausting and overwhelming, but I challenge you every day to wake up and CHOOSE GOD. He will sustain you. He will give you the strength to get through it. He is worth it.
Prepare. In the same way that we would prepare for a physical race, we should be preparing for the race of life. It takes discipline and self-control. And the more you prepare, the more ready you will feel to take on your battles.
Give it your all. No matter what you are facing, I challenge you to do it 100%. Always strive to be your best and never settle for less. God most definitely deserves your best effort.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you that you show up for us every single day. That when we feel tired and weak, you give us strength. You always meet us where we are at and you take us further! I pray that in everything we do, we strive to do our best. To give each moment and each interaction 100% effort. I pray that we would never sell ourselves, and especially you, short. God, I pray that our only aim is to finish the task of testifying to the good news of your grace. Our life is so much more than us and I pray that we take every opportunity to share the gospel with those around us. That we would act boldly in sharing your good news. That we would live a purposeful and intentional life, not sitting in complacency. Grow us, stretch us and mold us, Lord. For your glory. We love you! In Jesus’ name! Amen!