“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” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
There are three major races the Christian believer is engaged in: First, the race to actualize God’s blessings and promises (2 Peter 1:4); second, the race of destiny, that is to fulfill divine mandate on individual lives; and third, (the most crucial of all) the race of eternal life, the race to hold onto one’s salvation despite enemy attacks and temptations.
Below are some ways to run to win:
Run With Precision: To be precise is to be exact. God is a precise and very detailed God. He gave precise instructions to Moses while building the tabernacle. God is a detailed God who has His preferences for His children (Ephesians 1:11). As we crave for His plan and preferences for our lives in prayers and meditation, life’s journey becomes smoother and swifter. God will always back His perfect plans.
Run With Pace: Pace means the rate of movement. We all have different rates of movement. Martin Luther King Jr. said,“If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Thus, moving constantly and steadily is very crucial to winning the race. To stop movement at any time is to quit running, which is detrimental to destiny pursuits. So, whether crawling or running, you need to keep a pace, and keep making strides to the desired end (Philippians 3:12-14).
Run With Power: Power is the ability to accomplish tasks. Other synonyms for power in Christianity are anointing and grace. The Holy Spirit in the Christian believer is an Enabler and a Helper (John 14:26). To do divine or secular tasks without the input of the Holy Spirit is akin to driving a dump truck with no power assisted steering wheels. It is torturous drudgery. Learn to always call for the Holy Spirit’s assistance.
Run With Purpose: Purpose is simply the intent, the reason why something is done. Apostle Paul said: “I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing” (1 Corinthians 9:26, NLT). Successful people never engage in any activity without first defining the purpose or the reason why. To maximize life, engage only in purposeful and thoughtful endeavors (Ephesians 5:15-17).
Run With Purity: Any athlete that doesn’t run according to the laid down rules will be disqualified. Living carelessly and indulging ourselves carnally will result in disqualification (1 Corinthians 9:27). To run to win, focus is essential. Careless living is a distraction and detour from the race of life.
Conclusion: Have you dropped out from the race? Get back on track! Are you running at slower pace? Receive anew the enablement of the Holy Spirit! Have you started the race at all? If not, receive Jesus today as your personal Savior and Lord.
