Running the Race

I have been asked to be the speaker for this year’s Memorial Day family camp at Good News Camp. Their theme for the summer is “Without excuse: run in such a way as to get the prize,” with a focus on 1 Corinthians 9:24. Let me add a few verses for context, and then, over the next few weeks, I’ll give you an overview of where I am going with the Bible teaching time.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 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. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

As you well know, this isn’t just speaking about a literal race. It’s a metaphor for the Christian life. At times, the race may seem like it’s a sprint, but most have described it as a marathon. Maybe your race feels like a cross-country race — with a lot of ups and downs and a variety of terrain. Or, perhaps, your race feels like it is run on a track—relatively smooth, but sometimes feeling like you’re going in circles. Either way, I hope you feel like you are accomplishing something as you strive for the prize.
No matter the terrain, we need to be prepared ...It would be crazy for a person who has never run to start out with a marathon. Being prepared takes training. Successfully running the race of life also takes training. Our trainer is God. The training manual is the Bible. The training regimen involves regular reading of (or listening to) God’s Word, prayer, and involvement with His Church. As we heed His instruction, we will find ourselves more and more prepared for the “race.” If we do our part, and let God do His part, we will find ourselves prepared. To find out what that looks like, open your Bible and turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
(To be continued …)
In His grip,
Pastor Decker