Run to Win

​by Rhonda Barnes

"Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step…." 
​1 Corinthians 9:24-26a NLT

The revelation of this passage of Scripture makes me think about Olympic track events. It is a great honor and takes great discipline in training to qualify to run in one of these important races. These athletes don’t just do all of this to run...they run to win!

I love the life lessons our children can learn from participating in athletics. Unfortunately, our culture has dictated that if you want your kids to be successful in sports, you need to be all in--you need to be totally committed and disciplined to the one sport. In itself, this is not a bad thing, but it often dominates and prioritizes all activities of life.

I watch as parents have no problem being dedicated to this to see their child succeed in a sport, but where is the commitment and discipline for the spiritual race? Where is the priority and the discipline to say my kids are going to be in Sunday School--they are going to be in Youth group and Wednesday night kids' club? Many parents wouldn’t dream of letting kids skip practice because they felt tired, but it's ok if they don’t feel like getting up to go to church. We want to see our kids who participate in sports go to the next level; why do we not want to see the same thing in their Christian race. What about the adults? Do we have this kind of commitment to the Christian race?

Just like those talented Olympic athletes, if we want to be committed to win in this Christian race, we have do at least three preparatory things. First, sign up to be a participator! There is a big difference between those who come to spectate and those who come to participate. Make a decision to be “ALL IN” and give it your passion and your priority.
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Secondly, don’t forget to go back to the basics! The first thing an athlete is going to do at the beginning of the season is some core strengthening. They don’t just show up on the day of the race and jump in the starting blocks. There are so many people who are running the Christian race this way. They just show up, no preparation, and then wonder why they aren’t winning. Winning requires some discipline!

Winning requires some discipline!

• Discipline in prayer

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• Discipline in the Word

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• Discipline of praise/worship/thanksgiving

            (both privately and publicly)

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Lastly, winning requires preparing for the next. If you read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, you will see that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts. We need to nurture and use those gifts and talents that the Lord has given us. God did not call us to the Kingdom to just occupy a pew until He returns to get us; He prepared each of us for unique services. The sad reality is that too many have left their gifts unopened! Others are simply too busy to make a commitment to use their talents in Kingdom work.

After looking at these three steps of preparation, I would like to apply them to four different types of races:

1.  The 100-Meter race

This is the shortest race that is run in competition. Some of the most important parts in this race are the starting blocks. How well you come out of those blocks will often determine whether you will cross that line first.

I don’t care if you are just now deciding to join the Christian race or if you have been in it a long time and are ready to move to a new level; how you start is important! If you want to be successful, you have to commit to some things just like an athlete does. Get back to those basics and make a commitment to start strong!

2.  Hurdles

The second kind of race is the hurdles. Even if you don’t feel equipped in the natural to run a race that includes hurdles, I am here to tell you they will show up in your Christian race! The first step in successfully overcoming hurdles is knowing they are coming. The Bible warns us several times to be strong in the Lord and to prepare for the strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-13). When you know these tactics, they become like the hurdles in a race, and you can stay on pace and glide right over them knowing, “Greater is He who is in you, than He who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4 NASB)

3.  The Marathon

This race isn’t as much about how you start, but how you finish. Endurance is needed in the Christian race, especially when you are running a marathon. This race requires much perseverance--the ability to push through the pain and fatigue when you feel like your lungs are on fire and your legs cannot move another step.  I like the way The Message Bible describes perseverance in a long distance race: 

"Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running — and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…"
Hebrews 12:1-2a MSG

We are reminded to keep our eyes on Jesus since He demonstrated for us not only how to start a race, but how to finish it!

4.  The Relay Race

The thing that determines success in this race is how well and seamlessly we pass the baton. This too is an important part of the Christian race. Israel was instructed to diligently teach their children what the Lord instructed (Deut. 6:4-9). This command is important for us today; it is a type of passing the baton. We should be diligently teaching the things of God to our children and our grandchildren and being mentors to those who are new and maturing in their faith.

Regardless of what version of the race you are in--the 100 meter, the hurdles, the marathon, or a relay--make a decision to finish well. The Scripture etched on my headstone, where I will be laid to rest someday should the Lord tarry, reads, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7 NIV) This is what I want to be said of my life.
How will you finish?

This article is a reprint of this previous blogpost from Rhonda's website, SecretPlaceRevelation.com.

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Rhonda Barnes is an author, speaker, Christian blogger, and gifted teacher of God’s Word. Rhonda is ordained with the Assemblies of God, and currently serves as the Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Salem, Missouri. Rhonda’s first book, Road to Transformation, Journey to God’s Glory, was released in 2014. Since then, she launched the Christian teaching blog Secret Place Revelation, inspired by Psalm 91:1. In 2017, she released two additional books, Keys to the Kingdom, and It is Written. Rhonda is passionate about sharing the truths of God’s Word and enjoys writing, speaking in many settings, and teaching small groups. To contact Rhonda, please visit secretplacerevelation.com or email [email protected].

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