PASTOR'S PEN:
Run like it's the race of your life!
SABRINA GRUBBS

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24.

The main goal of all believers should be to find God's plan for their lives, and then to go after it with all their might and strength. But most Christians have never even awakened to the fact that God has a special race for them to run! This is why Paul asked the Corinthians, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but only one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Paul teaches us here that we are in a "race". Because Paul was highly educated, he knew precisely what he was doing when he used a word that described the Olympic race course of his day. Since this is the picture Paul has in his mind as he uses the word "race," let's stop to consider the Olympic competitions and competitors of that time.

The winners of the Olympic competitions were rewarded both materially and with great honor; however, if you study the Olympic champions in the ancient world, you will see that the primary emphasis of reward was not on material wealth, but on the distinguished honor bestowed on the winners.

In addition to these ideas, it is also important to note that the word "race," from the Greek word stadion, depicted the huge arena where athletic c o m p e t i t i o n s were held. Paul uses this word to tell us that when we enter the race of faith, it puts us in the center of the arena. People see us as we walk by faith. They know of our struggles, and they watch as spectators to see if we will win our battles. We must always keep in mind, therefore, that we're not running a private race of faith, but a race that has influence on many people's lives. Paul urges us to run our race in a way that encourages the bystanders who are watching from the sidelines to jump into the race themselves and pursue their destiny in God!

By using these ideas, Paul was communicating to the Corinthians (and to us) that we need to see ourselves as spiritual Olympic competitors! This life we lead is no game; it is the most serious competition we will ever face in this world. The rewards of a life well-lived are enormous. Not only will God materially reward us as we are faithful to His call, but He also reserves eternal rewards of honor and glory for those of us who run our race well in this life.

It is interesting that Paul says, "... they which run in a race run all…." Notice particularly the emphasis "run all." It means every believer is in some kind of race. A believer may not have awakened to the race he is in yet, or perhaps the race hasn't yet been revealed to him. Nevertheless, the fact remains that God has a specific plan for every individual.

Our task is to find the divine plan for our lives; to get in shape so we can start running our race; and then to run like mad so we can finish in first place! That's why Paul exhorted us, "…Run, that ye may obtain."

You see, runners have one thought foremost in their minds - the finish line! With this analogy in mind, Paul tells you to run your spiritual race with all your might, keeping your focus on the goal, the divine call on your life as God has revealed it to you.

You may ask, "How long am I supposed to keep running and trying to reach my God-given goals?"

The answer is, until you "obtain" what God called you to do!

To obtain is the picture of someone who finally sees what he wants - and instead of letting that goal he desires slip away, he pounces on it, seizing it and latching hold of it with all his might!

There is no doubt that you have a divine purpose for your life, something God has called you to do. God has marvelous ideas and plans for your life!

The question is this: Do you want to fulfill His plans for you? If your answer is truly yes, then set your heart on your goal. Don't be halfhearted, mealy-mouthed, touchy or easily discouraged. It's time for you to develop some resolve!

Do you see yourself as someone who is running the spiritual Olympic event of his or her life? Or are you simply "jogging for Jesus"?

If you're serious about fulfilling God's plan for your life, it's time to shift into high gear and to start putting all your spiritual, mental, and physical energies into getting the job done.

Sabrina Grubbs is pastor at the Island Worship Center.