I enjoyed watching the Paris Olympics. How about you?
My favorite events are the running races. From the shorter sprints to the longer distances, I like seeing people run around the track at speeds I can only dream about.
Add a few obstacles, like hurdles or pools of water to jump over, and that just makes the race even more exciting.
What does God have to say about these athletes? Plenty. And it’s all for our instruction.
Here are a few verses about runners, their running, their races, and their rewards:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8
As you read the verses above, what are your takeaways?
How is the Christian life like a running race?
How is a believer like an athlete?
I’d love to hear what you think, so please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
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