Asked to Run

 

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (NLT)

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I remember playing Little League baseball in Jackson, Michigan, and one of the first lessons in baseball that I was taught and that I carried with me my entire baseball career-we run off!

When the team who was hitting made three outs and we got to come in to hit-we ran off the field. Every time.

 

Of course, when the ball was in play, we also hustled, but it was expected that everyone would do that.

 

The apostle Paul says to run to win, which is important too. It's such a fine line to help children learn to enjoy sports, but then in the next juncture to help them understand that there is a point to the games we are playing —to win. God has given them talents and abilities, and never asked them to be soft or passive once they became Christians. Paul says we are running for "an eternal prize," not a prize that will fade away like the laurel wreath awarded to an athlete in his day. What better place to put our talents and abilities to use and to passionately pursue victory than in the name of the Savior and within the Kingdom of God, no matter what age we

 

But what does it require? We are to "run" not just by attending an occasional worship service on Sunday with maybe a Sunday school class thrown in, participation that I would consider the equivalent of just a couple of laps or a jog around the park; we are to run with discipline and perseverance, faithfully obeying Him, serving those who need our help, accepting people who are different from us, loving those who disagree with us, and never compromising the one we are following. Running until it hurts, giving of ourselves sacrificially every step of the way. And not just at the expected times, but during the little times that show our character, when others aren't watching.

 

We run off!

 

The Greek word for race is agon, from which we get our word agony. It signifies a match or a race in which endurance and determination must overcome those moments of difficulty that come in any race. We may experience spiritual cramps or pains, but it's critical to push on and run... to win. With excellence.

 

UNCOMMON KEY > If you are going to get into the game for the eternal prize-run with purpose as if your life depended upon it-it might!

 

Taken from, “The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker May 10