Run For The Prize, Part II

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 Cor. 9:24-25)
Over the years, my husband and I have gotten to know various elite runners, including one friend who ran in the Olympics. One thing about these athletes—running is their life. Not only do they train hard, but all aspects of their lives must conform to the goal of optimal performance. For example, decisions about diet, sleep, or free time are governed by their passion for running.
As we think about what it means to “run for the prize,” we can learn a lot from world class athletes. They certainly don’t want to embarrass themselves when they compete so they train hard. Since we’re running for an eternal prize, shouldn’t we take our training just as seriously, if not more so?
Endurance
The most obvious goal in a marathon is to make it to the finish line, so a runner needs to build endurance. Like elite athletes, Christians need to:
(1) Eat right.
A daily diet consisting of The Word will build our spiritual body so that it can function optimally. The things on which we feed our mind matter. Ingesting mega doses of TV affects the spirit the way Twinkies do the body. Instead, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)How you fuel your spiritual body plays an important role in how you’ll run the ultimate marathon of life.
(2) Exercise aerobically
Muscles atrophy without use; likewise, only when we take action, consistently practicing what the Bible says, can we hope to get our hearts and minds in shape. Consistent application of scripture is like taking long training runs where you “run with what you know,” creating a solid foundation of spiritual fitness.
Power
An athlete develops his or her power base with strength training. What might this look like in the spiritual realm? Consider these weight-bearing exercises:
Resisting temptation.
James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Repeated practice in resisting the enemy results in strength to keep more and more temptations at bay for longer periods of time.Carrying your cross.
Do you struggle under financial burdens? Is a challenging person in your life a strain to love? Do you fear a collapse under the burden of poor health? Repeated exercise in carrying your cross will result in a growing capacity to display patience, love and compassion.
When we’re engaged in spiritual weight training, we often get discouraged because of our failures. But consider this: for an athlete to get the greatest benefit from pumping iron, he must do enough reps to the “point of muscle failure” in order to build strength. If he’s just lifting easy weights or not doing enough repetitions, he bulk up very little. So, too, isn’t it encouraging to know that when we buckle under the pressures of life or even give out, we’re still in a process that strengthens us as long as we stay in training?
A spiritual weight lifting program defines and shapes your character, giving you a power you could never attain without this discipline.
Self-discipline
“Endure hardship as discipline…” (Hebrews 12:7) Paul exhorts us to do what it takes to run our personal best. He cites his own example, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly…No, I beat my body and make it my slave…(I Corinthians 9:26a, 27a)
This leads me to wonder what “making my body my slave” might look like? Here are some possibilities:
Daily getting up early to study and pray
Staying up all night in prayer for a friend in distress
Serving your spouse when you don’t feel like it
Giving money to a kingdom cause instead of spending it on self
Fasting in prayer for the salvation of a loved one
Hudson Taylor practiced living on a calorie-restricted diet in preparation for the rigors of missionary life in China. He was willing to do anything to be used by God. What about you and me?
Would God really want me to give up chocolate, lose weight or cut back on my exercise program to gain spiritual fitness? What about media time or reading the newspaper (increase or decrease?) or that expensive vacation to Tahiti?
Deprivation, moderation, and delayed gratification as well as pro-active exercise are all forms of self-discipline that world class athletes use to achieve their goals. In contrast, we spiritual athletes look like wimps, I’m afraid. It causes me to do some serious soul searching. You and I are vying for a prize far more significant than the Olympic gold medal. Do I really believe it?
Training involves pain. We can choose to focus on the pain or decide to put up with it because our eye is on the prize, realizing that pain, hardship and suffering pave the road to glory.
“…we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)
Spirit
Running to win takes mental toughness and a single-minded focus. Athletes must concentrate on their own race, not compare themselves with others. They need eyes trained on the finish line, a mind disciplined to deal with pain, and a warrior’s heart. They need spirit to fight for victory and determination to never give up.
We need these same qualities as we run for our eternal reward. Remember, we have a triumphant, overcoming spirit because the Holy Spirit lives in us. And His heart is that of a valiant warrior who endures everything to win.
Believe in yourself because God has promised victory. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b) “Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11b) “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne…” (Revelations 3:21a)
Let’s train hard so we can run well! Are you up for it? Then let’s go for gold!




(A new rendition of David’s song with apologies to King David—lifted from the 18th Psalm. Rewritten for the purpose of internalizing, not with the intent to improve! Excerpted from Psalm 18:1-19, 25-36, 46-49.)
I absolutely loved Christmas as a child. My parents outdid themselves every year, making the most of the little they had, pouring all their heart and love into the celebration for us kids. And it was truly magical.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him…” (I Corinthians 2:9)
Earlier this month my friends Irene, Tom, Stephanie, Mike and I decided we’d bike around Crater Lake rim. After reading all about it online, I figured it would maybe take three hours, four tops, to cover the thirty-three miles around the lake. After all, I could easily bike in one hour a twelve-mile route I’d done many times from my house.
After arriving at the lodge, we relaxed on the back patio overlooking the lake, and I celebrated by ordering a well-deserved virgin pina colada. We had dinner reservations as well, and for once I gave zero thought to calories! The meal was one of the finest I’ve enjoyed in ages.
And I suspect that like my Crater Lake experience, if we knew what our future held and what climbs we still need to labor through, it would seem like an impossible feat. However, because the Holy Spirit continues to fuel our endurance, someday we will reach our destination regardless of how steep the last incline. Surely part of the elation of heaven will be that we’ve completed a journey that took everything we had at times.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:18-20)
Yikes, the algebra class I’m taking is making me start to think in terms of equations/variables/algebraic expressions…. and it’s affecting how I think spiritually!