"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. " 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.
This past week, I've really been in the state of finishing. It could be because I'm remodeling my house, but my focus has been on completion. But why is it that we want to finish something? Is it to show ourselves that we can do it? Is it to achieve a level of accomplishment or prize? Above in the passage, Paul is sharing to the Corinthians that we all are in a race, but the reason for the competition is the most important thing. Some will run for a perishable crown (success and riches in the world), while others will run for the imperishable crown that we will receive in heaven.
In all walks of my life, the biggest lessons I ever learned were from golf. Part of this passage that really resonates with me is the part about disciplining the body and bringing it into subjection. For many years I sacrificed things others would do so that I would have 100% focus on being a better golfer. I didn't go out at night because I wanted to be my best. I didn't eat certain foods so that my body would perform at it's highest ability. These disciplines to many probably didn't look fun to people on the outside, but to me I was happy because I was racing towards the goal. I was running without uncertainty much like Paul is saying here. The same discipline applies to our daily "races." What is the race that you are running right now? You know to achieve the prize you have to "run in such a way that you obtain it." According to Paul, you obtain the imperishable crown by running without uncertainty and fighting with discipline.
Fighting without uncertainty: We fight without uncertainty because we know the end of the book! We know that we have been saved by our gracious and loving God through His son Jesus. We know that we can be certain in Him and His wants for us! This is so helpful because we know that even when the going gets tough, our strength comes from Him.
Fighting with discipline: I for one know the hardship that discipline and obedience brings. Much like tearing a muscle to make it grow, hardships will occur when you are living in obedience. If you are not experiencing hardships or pressures in your life, then I certainly would recommend that you focus on your prayer life and connection with God. Bobby Jones is famous for saying that he never learned anything from winning a match. I find this to be so true. God has used my defeats so carefully to point my eyes upon Him and show me that it isn't my defeat, but that it is rather His glory. His glory is shown through my survival and my desire to get to know him even more in the fire!
So what is your current race that you are running? Who are you running it for.....you or for God? When people become Christians, that is the starting line for the race of their purpose. The race has just begun....run the race that God has put on your heart with certainty and with constant obedience to His word. You will ultimately win an imperishable crown and be a true light for God to use. The last line in which Paul talks about being disqualified I think is one of the most important parts and one that I almost overlooked. My reading of this tells me that when fighting without uncertainty, and when fighting with discipline, you then become truly immersed in God and you have replaced your life and purpose with His life and His purpose. Your wants, your desires, your cares, your wins, your troubles are now disqualified as they are all in His hands and focused on His will for your life.
Start your race, run His race, and finish the race!
Have a great week!
Cameron
This past week, I've really been in the state of finishing. It could be because I'm remodeling my house, but my focus has been on completion. But why is it that we want to finish something? Is it to show ourselves that we can do it? Is it to achieve a level of accomplishment or prize? Above in the passage, Paul is sharing to the Corinthians that we all are in a race, but the reason for the competition is the most important thing. Some will run for a perishable crown (success and riches in the world), while others will run for the imperishable crown that we will receive in heaven.
In all walks of my life, the biggest lessons I ever learned were from golf. Part of this passage that really resonates with me is the part about disciplining the body and bringing it into subjection. For many years I sacrificed things others would do so that I would have 100% focus on being a better golfer. I didn't go out at night because I wanted to be my best. I didn't eat certain foods so that my body would perform at it's highest ability. These disciplines to many probably didn't look fun to people on the outside, but to me I was happy because I was racing towards the goal. I was running without uncertainty much like Paul is saying here. The same discipline applies to our daily "races." What is the race that you are running right now? You know to achieve the prize you have to "run in such a way that you obtain it." According to Paul, you obtain the imperishable crown by running without uncertainty and fighting with discipline.
Fighting without uncertainty: We fight without uncertainty because we know the end of the book! We know that we have been saved by our gracious and loving God through His son Jesus. We know that we can be certain in Him and His wants for us! This is so helpful because we know that even when the going gets tough, our strength comes from Him.
Fighting with discipline: I for one know the hardship that discipline and obedience brings. Much like tearing a muscle to make it grow, hardships will occur when you are living in obedience. If you are not experiencing hardships or pressures in your life, then I certainly would recommend that you focus on your prayer life and connection with God. Bobby Jones is famous for saying that he never learned anything from winning a match. I find this to be so true. God has used my defeats so carefully to point my eyes upon Him and show me that it isn't my defeat, but that it is rather His glory. His glory is shown through my survival and my desire to get to know him even more in the fire!
So what is your current race that you are running? Who are you running it for.....you or for God? When people become Christians, that is the starting line for the race of their purpose. The race has just begun....run the race that God has put on your heart with certainty and with constant obedience to His word. You will ultimately win an imperishable crown and be a true light for God to use. The last line in which Paul talks about being disqualified I think is one of the most important parts and one that I almost overlooked. My reading of this tells me that when fighting without uncertainty, and when fighting with discipline, you then become truly immersed in God and you have replaced your life and purpose with His life and His purpose. Your wants, your desires, your cares, your wins, your troubles are now disqualified as they are all in His hands and focused on His will for your life.
Start your race, run His race, and finish the race!
Have a great week!
Cameron
Comments
Post a Comment