The Finish Line...(Change Within Series Part IV)

September 1, 2009

Danielle Joyner Kelley

“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Part of running the race in life is to make sure that we engage in fair competition. People often say that nice guys finish last, which leaves us with the impression that if you are not nice, you will come in first.

In truth, nice guys finish last because they thought of everyone else but themselves. While we define the winner as whoever comes in first, God does not. “Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last." Luke 13:30.

In every race there are rules that we must obey in order to make sure we are not disqualified. “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. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.

For many runners, winning seems as if it is the most important accomplishment. The problem is when the idea of winning becomes so important to us that we make a decision to run our own race in ways to reach the finish line first.

Jesus told us all how to run our race. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

What this means is that every step we take, and every rule and command we obey during the game, should be because of one of the two commandments Jesus discussed. What we do, or do not do, should always be out of love for God and love for others. When we fail to do either, we may appear to the world as if we crossed that line first, but in reality we gained nothing. Moreover, no one else gained from the way we ran our race either.

For instance, if we knock others down to get ahead, we end up losing. “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” 2 Timothy 2:5-7.

When we break the rules to get ahead, we become hypocritical. When it comes to everyone else we want only those who obey the rules to get the crown. We want chief executives put in prison for cheating their workers and gaining wealth, and we want our politicians to answer for even the smallest of sins. Simply put, we are quick to call out other runners faults with no regard to our own.

In reality, we have only our own lane to run in, and nothing we do can force another runner to run a certain way. The best thing we can do is run our own race in a way that motivates others to do the same. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

Running the race in this manner assures you that when the world points out runners ahead of you in an attempt to convince you that you are losing, you will know the truth of what lies ahead. As you keep going in faith through those moments, you are in training, growing stronger,

While God measures you for your crown.