Running the Race—Part 3: Surrendered

In order to run the race of life to get the prize, we must be prepared and intentional. Those two things seem obvious, don’t they. However, this week’s suggestion is a little less obvious; we also need to be SURRENDERED.

Now, that’s not a term I’d expect to hear from a track / running coach, but it does fit the race of life. In a race, there are certain guidelines and rules. For instance, a course is laid out, and runners are expected to stay on the course. There may also be rules concerning certain performance enhancing substances or equipment. Whatever they may be, the rules and guidelines attempt to make it a fair and level playing field for everyone involved.

Back to the race of life, people don’t always play by the rules. In my library, I have a leadership book entitled, “First, Break All The Rules: What The World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently.” I haven’t read it yet, but I’m guessing it deals with challenging assumptions rather than formal rules. But, in the race of life, some people may see rules (or laws) merely as something of a challenge, instead of something that applies to them. People may take “short cuts” that end up having ramifications for themselves or others, when they should have stayed on the course. Furthermore, we often assume that we know best, and are unwilling to listen to what others have to say, not realizing that their perspective could help spare us some long-term grief. Finally, this world seems to be characterized by people who are always trying to get ahead, and at all costs. It doesn’t matter what or who they destroy if they end up “on top.” In the end, people who run the race in these ways will find themselves stripped of the prize.

Instead, we are to run the race surrendered to God. As Romans 12:1-2 says, we are to be “living sacrifices” and not conformed to this world. To run the race as a living sacrifice, we have to follow certain guidelines. We run the race in the following manner: holy—following God’s rules, acceptable—following God’s route, with reasonable worship/service—following God’s plan, and with a renewed mind—as God’s ambassador to those around us. If we run the race in this manner we are striving for a prize that is given by Jesus Himself, and no one can take that away from us. So, keep striving for the prize!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker