from a few Olympics back... 

Pursue  the  Prize - Do God’s Will!

Kerry Doyal

            Olympic fever is rampant again at the Doyal domain.  We not only cheer Phelps, but we watch boxing, badminton, weightlifting, gymnastics, track… Vicarious exercise goes a long way.

 

            Every Olympics I am amazed at what those incredible specimens of health will do for a medal. I guess E-bay just isn’t good enough for some people. It is incredible the years and often decades of dedication these disciplined athletes put in.

 

            With the world awash with The Games, it is a great time to revisit 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  This part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, whose city hosted the Isthmian Games, speaks of competition, self-disciple and winning the prize.  

 

            “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last;  but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  

 

            “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;  I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (NIV).  

 

            After telling about his dedication to fulfill God’s calling on his life (vs. 19-23), Paul coaches the Corinthians:  “Pursue the prize, do God’s will”.       

 

            News Flash: God has a calling on YOUR life!  He has things He wants YOU to do, ministry made just for YOU (Psalm 139;  Jeremiah 1:1-12; Romans 12:1-8)! Having saved you, the Lord wants you to walk the path of good works He laid out just for you (Ephesians 2:8-10).

 

            Pursuing the prize for Paul meant doing everything he could to convey Christ as a missionary. While we are all to share the gospel, God’s calling for your life will be different than Paul’s, mine or anyone else’s. 

 

            Fulfilling your Divinely-dealt destiny is the greatest of all races. Track with me as I use the word “prize” to help us learn from this text how we may run in such a way as to get the prize (vs. 24).

 

            Starting with the obvious - if you are going to win the prize, fulfill your calling, you must first “P” - pursue it. Knowing and desiring ain’t doing. I know I should cut my grass and even desire for it to be mowed, but those twin passions don’t scare my crab grass.

 

            Spiritual medalists pursue God’s will. Not selectively, not passively, not just occasionally.  To complete your life-mission from God, you need to move from being a spectator to a gritty participant. Winners get in the race. How are you serving God?

 

            You know at least a few things God wants from you. Do them! This is the starting blocks to running like a winner. Pursue His will for His name’s sake and the good others.

 

            To go the distance, we must “R” - ready ourselves, exercise self-discipline. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”  What are you doing to grow in grace, to strengthen your walk (Jude 20; 2 Peter 3:18)?

 

            “Strict training.” Does that describe your discipleship? Seems we have lots of casual Christians – an oxymoron. To what distractions and hindrances are you saying “no” (Hebrews 12:1, 2; Titus 2:11-15)?  The prize is awarded to those who discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:8-16).

 

            “I” - Imagining the reward is a godly motivation. The Greek Game winners were given a laurel wreath that faded in a week or so. All that effort for a Kudzu Crown!  We are promised “a crown that will last forever.”  God holds the medal ceremonies and He Himself hands out the prizes (James 1:12). I can only imagine! Can you? 

            Life lived without meaning is tragic. Running to win requires us to “Z” - zero-in on the “why,” be purposeful. “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.”   Have you forgotten the “why” of your life?

 

            Aimless activity is not rewarded. Is your life focused? Do you eliminate the good for the sake of the best – God’s will. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Proverbs 19:2 says:   It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, or to be hasty and miss the way.  Zero-in on what God wants from you.

 

            Winning athletes - “E” - enslave themselves to win. Paul said “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  What a shame to compete and yet be disqualified due to lack of discipline or cheating.  Shun the spiritual steroids of sin.

 

            God has given us a path to run to accomplish things for God's glory. Pursue His will. Ready yourself through self-discipline. Imagine your eternal reward. Zero-in on what God wants from you. Enslave yourselves to eliminate disqualification.

 

            To avoid entering heaven empty handed, go for His gold (1 Corin. 3:10-15)!  Live like a winner, run for the prize.  

Kerry