The race called life
Life is a race isn’t it?
It’s not a competition with others, it’s one with ourselves.
The aim is to reach the finish line and to do so in good shape.
It takes a lot of discipline doesn’t it?
There may be distractions on the way,..interesting sights and sounds to catch our attention and derail us off our path; distractions from other runners, the tendency to compare and even compete with them.
Funny thing is, our paths are different.
Someone may be in his mountain phase of the run and we in the valley.
Hmmmm,…life.
In the Bible, the “race of life” is a metaphor for the Christian journey, emphasizing endurance, discipline, and focus on Jesus rather than speed.
It signifies a God-ordained purpose, requiring believers to shed spiritual weights and sin while running with perseverance toward an eternal, rather than earthly, prize.
Let’s look at some key aspects of the biblical race:
• Perseverance over speed: it is a lifelong marathon which requires us to finish well and not a short sprint to outpace others.
• Focus on Jesus: this is sooo key. I can’t emphasize this enough! We are instructed as believers to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV –
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.
• Purpose and discipline: just as athletes train, as Christians we must do the same. We must use self control and remove hindrances such as sin and distractions that can keep us from God.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV –
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.
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
• Individual course: yes! The race is uniquely “marked out” for each believer.
• The goal: The aim is to finish the course well, fulfilling one’s divine calling and ministry.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV –
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.
Essentially, the race is a spiritual, non competitive journey of transformation into the likeness of Christ.
This is a great moment for a mike drop! 😆
I’ll end with a quote that I heard in yesterday’s sermon.
This quote is attributed to Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor and author: “if you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest”.
It emphasizes finding peace through faith, rather than focusing on external chaos or internal insecurities (boy do we have a lot of them both!)
BUT GOD!
Let’s run our race well so that at the end of our lives we hear these amazing words from God – “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 🥹
God bless you!
😊🙏🏽
