The Olympic Games are the ultimate contest for many of the athletes, and most of them have been disciplining themselves for years to reach this point. It’s a good time to recall Paul’s comparison of the Christian life to a race.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 he writes, “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.” The term used for “preaching” implies a herald who calls others to the race, something Paul does regularly in his epistles. Paul prefaces these statements with verse 24: “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.”
The Christian life is much bigger than any sport, and glorifying God with the way we live our lives is the biggest responsibility we have. Those who have admitted their need of a Savior and have accepted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for their sin will gain eternal life, but the rewards we receive in that eternity will depend on how we run this earthly race. The race is not optional; we are in it whether we realize it or not. Without effort and self-control and discipline, we end up running aimlessly or taking a nap along the side of the trail or turning the wrong direction or dragging behind while we make up excuses or nurse an injury.
Runners could tell themselves that running one or two miles once a week is all that’s necessary to prepare, but the truth is that such minimal preparation would not help their endurance or speed. So they run often and far, no excuses. They recognize that they don’t know everything, and they listen to their coaches’ advice so they can guard against bad habits or injuries. Athletes also strive for good health, trying to get enough sleep and considering what food and how much goes into their bodies. It all affects their potential to succeed, and their effort brings their bodies into subjection.
Striving to run the race well, to glorify God in all we do, is a rewarding endeavor! Consider whether the mental and spiritual influences and the activities in your life please God and draw you closer to God. Make the effort, even when it’s difficult, to do the things you should be doing instead of making excuses. Discipline yourself to achieve a clean diet for your mind by focusing on what’s good and pure. Recognize that you don’t know everything and must be regularly studying the Word of God, careful to interpret it correctly so that you don’t run the wrong direction. Take opportunities to learn from the input of experienced Christians who have devoted time and effort to the study of the Word of God so that you can guard against bad habits or anything which could disqualify you.
We have a propensity for talking ourselves into excuses in all these areas, but excuses don’t change truth. This side of heaven we’ll never be perfect, but can we strive to glorify God more today than we did yesterday? There’s an eternal reward available, a gold medal of sorts but much more glorious and lasting an eternity. “Run that you may obtain it.”