Running the Race

The world is now looking forward to the Olympics, and many will be travelling from different parts of the world, some to give their support, and some to participate in the Games, hoping to be a winner. They’ll all be coming to London in the next few weeks.

The players have been practising and putting in a lot of effort, discipline, time, and money. For some this is the dream of a lifetime and they’re determined to give it their all. They’ve bought the right shoes and the right clothes. The crowds will be big, a huge audience, and there’ll be many participants, but in every single race there’ll only be one winner. One will get first prize. Everyone will be watching to see who it will be. All eyes will be on the finishing line to cheer the one who gets there first.

I especially enjoy watching the marathons, as the runners persevere right up to the end. When the first person finishes the crowds cheer and are excited. But there are also the others, running towards the finish, sometimes unnoticed. They still have a long way to go, but they keep going to the end. At some point these runners know they’re in last place. They know there’ll be no glory for them. No prizes. No fanfare. They know that when they get to the finish line the crowds will be gone. And yet they push on. (But there are some who do drop out when they know they won’t be reaching their time goals.)

We’re also in a race, but it’s a different type of race. This is a race where everyone has his own track, his own crowd, and his own individual finishing line. It’s a race that’s different from any other. A personal race. We get a different prize, but the same principles apply to us - discipline, looking towards the goal, perseverance and, most importantly, finishing the race. After so much effort dropping out of the race is out of the question.

Jesus is our goal, our reason for running, our inspiration and our hope. We are to look to Him alone for the strength we need. When our focus is on Him we forget the crowds and the disappointments of being in last place. He’s the prize giver and He doesn’t give a prize to the winners, but to the finishers.

"The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels" (Revelation 3:5).
What a prize!

Prayer: Lord Jesus You are the author and perfecter of my faith. Please Help me to focus on You alone as I run this race. Teach me to rely on Your strength and not my own. When am discouraged I put my hope in You. I want to run and finish the race for You and with You. Thank You for loving me. Amen.