Have you ever played a game with the intention of losing? I doubt it. Most of our family loves to play board games, especially Peggy (I’m not in that group). But when I see family members gather around the table for a game of Yahtzee, Uno, or Pirate’s Dice, I don’t see any of them hoping they will lose. Of course, each one enters the game in hopes of winning. That’s just part of our natural DNA.

The Apostle Paul felt the same way about his life, which he likened to an event in track and field. Here is what he said to the church in Corinth two thousand years ago,

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize” (1 Cor. 9:24)?

Like each of us, the Corinthians were fully aware of the fact that in any race, even though we all run, there is only one “winner.” But Paul had more to say,

“Therefore, run in such a way that you may win” (1 Cor. 9:24).

Paul was not interested in running in order to lose, but only to win. He goes on to say that if we are going to enter any competition, we need to begin by training, exercising self-control in all things. That’s why Paul said,

“I discipline my body and make it my slave” (1 Cor. 9:26-27).

As you might have guessed, Paul is not talking about entering an athletic competition, but about running “the race of life.” He disciplined himself so that he could win the prize, which in those days was an,

“…imperishable wreath, not a perishable one.” (1 Cor. 9:25).

Paul used a similar metaphor in writing to another church in Europe,

“There is one thing that I do: forgetting what lies behind, I reach forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Every runner knows that as you head toward the finish line, you don’t start looking behind you to see who might be hot on your heels, but you keep your eyes on the finish line and press on with all your strength toward it. And that’s exactly what the writer of Hebrews says, but with some added instruction for the race,

“…Let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb. 12:1-2).

So, the Bible gives us a set of instructions for running this race called “life.” First, we run to win; Second, we discipline ourselves to win; Third, we get rid of all of the “excess baggage” that weighs us down; Fourth, we don’t look back; Fifth, we don’t give up; Sixth, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is waiting for us at the finish line; and Seventh, we anticipate the prize that will be given to us. 

But I’m not quite finished with this topic as we launch into the New Year. Two things that I plan to do next week: 1) Develop these thoughts just a little bit more; and 2) Examine the nature of the prize that is waiting for us at the finish line. I hope that you will join me again next week.

Blessings to you, and Happy New Year.