Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. I Corinthians 9:24-25
Weren’t the 2008 Olympics terrific? The runners, gymnasts, divers and other athletes kept me spellbound until late in the night. Wouldn’t it be fun to do flips and handstands across the floor? To fly through the air doing twists and summersaults before diving into the cool water? To twirl and tumble across a balance beam? To leap over high bars with the agility of a deer? To race with the best the world has to offer and come out on top?
While I’m not athletic, I remember running the three-legged race in first grade. I had never tried it before, never practiced, and had never seen it done. When Field Day came, my teacher paired me with another student, tied my left ankle and knee to his right ankle and knee with lengths of twine. We stumbled and tripped toward the finish line, coming in dead last. One of the problems was that we didn’t know or trust each other. We didn’t want to get too close. We were out of step, each pulling our own way.
By second grade, I had grown a little smarter. Patty, my new best friend, and I practiced running the three-legged race throughout the school year. We learned to understand each other’s movements and communicate. We’d wrap our arms around each other’s waist and run in step as close as we could get. By the time Field Day rolled around we were clearly blue ribbon winners.
As believers, we are each in a race—different from the Olympics but more important. It starts with our decision to serve Jesus. Yoked to Him, we begin the race. It’s a struggle. We don’t know Him or trust Him as we should. We haven’t gotten close enough to run in step. We make mistakes and fall flat on our faces, struggling toward the finish line of this marathon race called life.
It’s as we get in step with Jesus, that our race runs a little smoother. This happens when we spend time in His Word and following His lead instead of insisting on our own way. It’s not easy. And we’re never as consistent as we should be.
You may look at the lives of strong Christians (even pastors or leaders) and think their race is easy and smooth. You may believe that you can’t measure up or think about quitting. Don’t. Every believer struggles in his three-legged marathon. Everyone trips and falls sometime or other.
The key is to get closer. Wrap your arms around Jesus and cling to Him as close as you can. Let him direct your steps. Stay in His word and in fellowship with other believers. Run the race. Don’t give up. It’s important. Someday when you wear the crown of life in His kingdom, you’ll be glad you did.
