Playing vs Winning
(NIV) 1 Cor 9:24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
My father-in-law asked if I knew how to play checkers. I’m sure I looked at him incredulously. Of course I knew how to play checkers. I played it with my brother when we were children.
Well, after several games with my losing each time, I realized I knew how to play checkers, but I certainly did not know how to win checkers.
In today’s scripture, Paul uses the metaphor of running a race in order to win. He was trying to teach the Corinthians to seek after God just as diligently as athletes preparing for the Olympic races. Paul says that he himself runs not aimlessly but with a goal in mind.
My question today is this: do each of us have a clear goal as we go through our day? Do we understand as Paul did that the crown we seek is heavenly? If not, then we need to realign our purpose with the Holy Scriptures, seeking to win the only prize that matters—2 Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.”
May we as intentional disciples keep our eyes on the prize, and may we be faithful in sharing Jesus with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 