Run to Win!
Today, I reflected upon one of my favorite passages.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Matthew Henry’s commentary talks about how people are very disciplined or go into strict training to master a sport. They watch what they eat, what they drink, how they treat their bodies. They make sure they get proper exercise and proper rest. They endure hardships, pains, and beat their bodies into submission. They train and compete with all their hearts, making every effort to win- because it matters to them. Only one wins the prize; and they do it to win a crown of olive leaves, a medal, a trophy, a title, cash aware, or applause- all corruptible crowns, as it were.
Meanwhile, Christians are also in a race, to inherit an incorruptible crown, a crown that does not fade away. But so many run the race of life, casually. Matthew Henry says, “And should not Christians much more abridge themselves of their liberty, for so glorious an end as winning the race, and obtaining the prize set before them?” Are we willing to submit ourselves to whatever it takes to not just finish, but to finish well? Are we willing to crucify this flesh and suffer as Christ did, for the joy set before us- the crown of life? Can we give up whatever, go wherever, do whatever- as the Spirit leads? Does it matter one way or another? Do you care?
I often ask myself these kind of questions? On the one hand, I know our salvation does not come by anything we say or do; it does not come by our own efforts, but the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8.9). Yet I know those who take that to mean we have no obligation to do anything- because Christ has done it all. Well Christ has not just done it all, but He is doing it all, even now. It is Jesus who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We don’t do these things to become saved, but because we are saved. Having tasted of the goodness of God, having seen the glorious light of Jesus Christ, having been humbled by His great grace; we care how we represent our Savior and King.
I think about how I show up to work, work such long hours, put great effort into doing a good job. I think about how I show up to blog every day and the efforts to develop my writing skills. I look at thousands of hours of reading books, attending classes, research, and self-development to grow as a person and to grow my small business. I look at the times when I am extremely sick and yet I show up for a meeting or to teach a class. I am creating the discipline of showing up- no matter what.
None of these things are wrong in themselves; but they are temporary. My job, my writing, my classes, my small business, won’t follow me to the other side of glory. As Paul, I would not want to come to the end of this race and find myself disqualified because I attempted to run on my own terms, was overcome by the affairs of this life, gave up when things got hard, took my eyes off the prize, or ran this race with no heart to hear my Father say, “Well done.”
Conclusion
There’s so much more that can be said about this passage and I’m sure I didn’t do it or Matthew Henry due justice: but I hope it gives you something to think about. I write a lot about money and finances because I know how we attend to the affairs of this life is important. But, how we attend to the affairs of our soul and spirit, is even more so. Keep first things first. There’s a prize for all who run to win; so run to win!
