Running the Race—Part 8: Hope

I began this “Running the Race” series by looking at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and I would like to revisit verse 24 today: “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.”

All the runners run, but only one receives the prize. While some may run for the joy of running, I think most run with the hope that they could win the prize. However, at some point in the race, many runners will figure out that they are not going to come in first. Some will give up (give up hope) and drop out of the race. However, most will continue. Perhaps their motivation will be to finish with their personal best time … or just to finish the race.

In the race of life, I think we all “run” pursuing some goal or “prize.” Sometimes, that goal will be out of reach … at least for a time. The question is, how will we handle that realization? Will we give up … and give up hope? If we do that, we will find the race of life a drudgery, or something that we have to endure. There’s no joy in that.

On the other hand we may find a different goal and strive after that. Or, perhaps, we will keep working toward our original goal and see it as a long-term goal, realizing that God’s timing is often different than ours. Far too often, we get caught up in our current predicaments and fail to look to the future. Things that seem like mountains now will often look more like molehills when we are looking back.

So, what is today’s advice for running the race? Don’t give up hope! Keep pressing on! I think you will find some encouragement in the following verses: Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 1:18; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 6:11-12. And, finally,

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker