Run in Such a Way to Win

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB

In an article titled, “RUNNING: Pottsville grad Stoner becomes national champion marathoner” published yesterday, the following was reported: Paige Stoner never stopped chasing her dreams. Sunday, in Sacramento, California, she caught one of them. Shattering the course record by 51 seconds, the 2014 Pottsville Area High School graduate captured the victory at the California International Marathon. As a result, she was crowned USA Track & Field's national champion in the marathon. Stoner completed the 26.2 miles in 2:26.02, which was 1 minute, 39 seconds faster than runner-up Lauren Hurley of Boulder, Colorado, who ran 2:27.41. Of the win, she later said,” "I was very emotional. It was my first professional win — period. There's nothing like breaking the tape in a race like that. It was incredibly special."

And you know, when it comes to ‘breaking the tape,’ something only the first finisher of a race gets to do, the Bible is clear that believers are to “run in such a way” that they would win. That means devoting the same time, effort, and dedication to knowing and serving Christ that a determined athlete devotes to training. This requires a single-mindedness to take action each and every day to improve and hone your skills, doing only those things that will get you closer to the goal of being Christ-like and doing nothing that would hinder your progress in any way. It’s a focused determination to be the absolute best that you can be knowing that coming in first is sometimes only a matter of milliseconds.

So run to win my friend. Train with all your might each and every day as an Olympic athlete trains to take home the gold. Tenaciously pursue the goal of breaking the tape so that you will be declared worthy of the prize that awaits every one that does so. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for laying out what it takes to run in such a way to win. Give us the discipline, dedication and the strength to pursue You with all that we have, letting nothing deter us from breaking the tape and bringing you glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!