1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Athlete)

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. 

These past two chapters we've been talking about the freedom that comes in knowing Christ, as well as the rights and desires we must willingly give up.  Paul knows that these proclamations are difficult -- they are not what the rest of the world might tell us to do -- so right here, in the middle of this letter to the Corinthians, Paul adds some encouragement and exhortation to help us keep the fire going!  After all the commands of what rights we are to give up, I could use a little encouragement.  Good thinking, Paul!


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.  Perhaps you just ran in the Race of the Cure this weekend, or you might be training for the mini-marathon as I am.  We all are out there running, but only one person can win.  We know what that looks like don't we?  Everyone runs; one wins.    The prize is worth your strongest effort, so we can't be running this race of the Christian life halfheartedly.  Run to win.  Here's how...

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.  Strict training.  Strict training (as I'm discovering myself) requires very strict self-control.  I must control myself to get up early, dress for running, and then go do it.  I must control what I put into my body so that I can perform well.  All of these running metaphors have a parallel.   

In my Christian life I must get up.  Just say yes!  I have to choose to ignore all the other things I could do, and say yes to spending time with the Lord.
  
Not only must I get up, but I must get up early.  There is a severe sacrifice involved here, because anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE sleeping.  As much as you really love to sleep, that's me.  I hear ya.  I tried the afternoon quiet times for years, and they would always get pushed aside by other things that "must get done." But strict self-control is required of us, and I've found that when I start my day in the Word, my whole day, my whole week, my whole life is better for it.  Trust me, it's worth it. 

I dress for running a race.  In my Christian life, that means I put on the full armor of God so that I am prepared to run this race and fight the devil's schemes against me.  I would love to study this together some day!  But for now, here is the armor: (Ephesians 6)
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Then, I must go do it.  Sometimes, it's not a matter of self-control to NOT do something, but controlling myself TO do it.  To go to church when I would rather sleep in.  To go help my neighbor when I would rather relax.  To listen to a co-worker when there are so many papers to grade.  To speak about what Christ has done in my life when I would rather be silent.  The Holy Spirit will help you in all of this.  We are not alone in this race!  But I assure you that nothing will be done for the kingdom if we are constantly on the couch, or...Facebook.  Ouch, that's hard for me to say.


Also, I must control what I put into my body.  The food I eat greatly affects my runs.  Likewise, the music, images, books, conversations, movies and TV shows that fill my brain will eventually fill my heart.  It is vitally important what I am putting in.  I can pick media outlets that will fill my heart and soul or I can pick those that destroy what God desires to create in me.  Media fasts are a great thing.  This Lenten season, I was reminded as I fasted from Facebook, just how much comparisons happens in my mind as I peruse the pages of the media.  But God desires that I get my value from what He says about me, not how I compare to people I rarely or never see in real life.  That is not life-giving for me.


And remind my WHY I'm doing this??...They (athletes) do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Oh, yes.  What we do on this side of Heaven WILL go with us into eternity.  It matters.  I don't understand how that works completely, but I trust it.  There are rewards on the other side according to what we have done here.  Our works do not "buy" us salvation, but they are rewarded!  God sees what we do, and of my life, I desire that He might say, "I saw you, Molly.  Well done, good and faithful servant."

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...  And that is why we don't just jog a couple laps here and there.  We do not just give this a lazy effort.  We must do the hard work, the grueling preparation, the painful self-denial.  We train diligently, because our spiritual progress, growth, and success depends on it!  We make our bodies our slave rather than being a slave to our bodies.  We do not make decisions based on mere feelings, but instead, we base our decisions on Christ.  Our bodies will tell us how we feel about many things, but do not trust your feelings!  They don't tell you the Truth.  Instead, we must make our bodies our slave, Christ's slave.

And why is that again?..."...so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  We do not want to miss out on this!  It's gonna be too good!  Yes, I know it seems like Heaven is so far away, but it will be here before you know it, just ask my grandma and my mom who are there now.  They are having a great day today!  They are in the presence of Jesus Christ, and they no longer are looking through a fogged glass -- they see the whole picture!

It is a long road, my friend.  I wish so often that I could just be there now with them.  But our race is not done yet.  Train hard for the long haul.  Keep fighting the good fight, finish the race, and keep your faith.  You are not alone, and it is gonna be so good once you reach that finish line...