Run to Win

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." 1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

With so many races canceled, many pro runners are looking for opportunities to win some money and break some records. Something many of them got a chance to do over the weekend when they took on the Chaski Challenge. In this event offering cash prizes, eight treadmill world records were beaten but only one runner went beyond 50 miles - Brooks runner Mario Mendoza who broke the 100k record. Starting hours before the rest of the pros, the Bend, Oregon, resident started to hurt after just 10 miles. After feeling better around the 50K, he started to turn it around. The final challenge came around the 45-mile mark. Still off record pace, he knew he had to push his pace. He did so over the last 15 miles, surpassing the pace and going on to get the record with a 6:39:25, beating the previous mark by 1:10. “It was awful,” Mendoza kind of joked on the live stream after the run. “I have pretty awful blisters with some blood, and oh gosh, that was awful.”

And you know, there's a reason why Paul used the analogy of a race to describe the Christian life. Running, especially long distances, is hard. Very hard. It's also painful and downright awful at times, requiring sacrifice, daily discipline and strict training. And while this considerable effort is what it takes to make it to the finish line of a grueling race, winning that race and obtaining the first place prize requires extreme effort, sacrifice and self-control. And this is exactly the way Paul said that you and I should approach our Christian walk - running in such a way to obtain the prize of eternal salvation - devoting ourselves day in and day out to Bible study, prayer and worship, in relentless pursuit of being more like Christ, witnessing to the lost and fulfilling the calling He has placed on our lives.

So at a time when it's becoming harder than ever to talk about Jesus much less follow Him, let me remind you of something... no matter how close you get to the finish line, even if you can see it up ahead, if you drop out before you cross it, you will forfeit the prize. You will get what's called a DNF (Did Not Finish) and you will get no second chance... period. So stand strong my friend. Continue to follow Christ no matter what it costs! Continue to run the race with all your might so that one day you will receive the prize you have been working so hard to obtain! I promise it will be worth it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word that clearly tells us that the Christian life will not be easy. Thank you, though. that the Word is also clear that we are never alone and that staying faithful will be worth any pain and suffering we might experience along the route. Give us the strength, endurance and wisdom to keep running the race Lord. Not just as someone who wants a medal though, but as someone who wants to break the tape and come in first place. Let us run to win! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Eye on it - TobyMac