Run the race

Are you Running the Race?
Are you running to win?

ARE YOU RUNNING TO WIN THE RACE?

If you've been following the winter Olympics this year, you will have seen and heard testimonies of athletes who are competing to win one race or another. They've already won and lost many races just to compete as an Olympian. Neither past victories or losses ensures the outcome of the
race still ahead of them. You may not see any similarities in your own life, but we too are in a race. Paul compares life itself to a race.

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as
one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." I Corinthians 9:26-27

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 5:7

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me --the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7

This week as you weigh down and measure down, remember that you too should run your race with promise and hope. Each victory and loss prepares you for the next hurdle. To live without goals and measurements is frankly, "just kidding yourself."

Of course it matters, because you matter. As you dare to set new goals for yourself you are vulnerable to setbacks and primed for success. Of course you can reach your goals, of course it matters that you do.