Only What we do for Jesus has Eternal Value

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV

In a story titled “Steve Prefontaine Died 50 Years Ago Today. No One Misses Him More Than His Sister,” the writer said “Pre’s legacy lives on a half century after his death. Linda Prefontaine knows the side of him that many did not.” Prefontaine has been commemorated in numerous ways since his death—through the annual Prefontaine Classic track meet held in Eugene, via Steve Prefontaine Hall at Nike’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, a statue at 5th Street Public Market in Eugene, large murals painted on buildings in his hometown of Coos Bay, Oregon, and two feature-length movies. But his legacy is so much more than that, especially to his younger sister, Linda Prefontaine, who was 21 when her brother died. “He had a great personality and he was a warm, caring individual who just happened to be a great runner,” she said this week. “Most people look at him and focus on that one thing, that he was a great runner. But he was so much more than that, and most people never really knew all of who he was.”

And, you know, as a Christian who ‘just happens’ to be a runner, I not only understand that my identity is in Christ above all else (as is the identity of every believer who chooses to be “crucified with Christ”), but that I should be living in such a way that the world can see that “Christ lives in me” and is all of who I am. I should be living in such a way that, if I were to die tomorrow, people would remember me as a person who lived “by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” In fact, this is how every believer should strive to be remembered. You see, although Prefontaine’s life inspired many people to run (and that’s a good thing), it never inspired anyone to seek the One who gave him the speed and ability to run so well. Which means, in the end… running (and every other pursuit we embark on) has no lasting value unless we do it for Christ—because ONLY what we do for Jesus has eternal worth. 

So, vow to live for Jesus each and every day my friend. Choose to leave a legacy as a person who lived by faith in the Son of God and who ran the race to bring Him glory. Missionary C.T. Studd summed it up well when he said “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our time, talents, and treasures all come from You and are to be used in service to You. Help us to understand Lord that we only have one life to inspire the lost to seek You—and we do this by the way that we live and by the way we love others. Help us then to daily take up our cross and surrender our will to take up your will and run the race for You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!