“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
Paul uses the analogy of running a
race on several occasions in the New Testament. One is here in his letter to
the Corinthian believers and the other is Hebrews 12:1. Running requires
endurance, especially distance running.
Our walk with the Lord isn’t a sprint, but rather a long distance run in
which we must pace ourselves so as not to burn out before the finish line.
During any race the runner is tempted
to ease up slightly in an effort to rest his muscles. There is always a point
where fatigue kicks in and you feel like you need to stop. Your muscles ache and your legs start to feel
heavy. It’s at that point in the race
that you need to push through. You’ve
managed to maintain a rhythm in your running and to continue you must press on
until the finish, for that is where your reward lies.
So it is with believers. We press on through adversity and pain with
the ultimate prize awaiting us when we pass from the world into eternity. Be vigilant in your walk with Christ. Serve Him and not yourselves. Your reward is life everlasting with the
Lord. Until next time, walk with the
King and be a blessing!
