The Prize at the End

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 ESV). Though I have not participated in a “Color Run,” I am told that the finish line is one of the most exciting for runners of any that are held! In some of these runs there are upward of tens of thousands of runners, each one running different distances, though all desiring to experience the kaleidoscope of color thrown on them at the end. Though that day has long past for me to be able to complete such a race, it does look like fun! The Scripture talks about running the race of life. In fact there are five references to the crowns we will receive at the end of the race. One of those is our reading today. The Apostle Paul reminds his readers that, unlike a color run, only one runner receives the prize of the races of their day. He must have been thinking about some of the track and field events so popular in the Roman Empire at that time. Athletes, especially winners, were held in high regard at that time. To win was considered the highest honor. These men trained long and hard hours to compete for a laurel wreath and the pride of winning. I find we have lost some of that in our day. Even though we have our athletes and favorite teams, we often reserve the serious business of competition to others while we amble along through life “doing the best we can.” That attitude is nothing like Paul’s reference. He speaks of in a much more serious tone, urging his readers forward, stretching for the prize. There are some who have thought that Paul was talking about eternal life in this passage. That somehow he was encouraging his readers to work hard to win their eternal life. Nothing could be further from the truth! That race has already been run; that outcome has already been determined. Jesus ran that race and won it! Our prize of eternal life has already been secured. The apostle is talking about how we live these lives. He is urging us to take the race seriously. It’s not a matter of winning the race. That’s done. It’s a matter of running it in such a way as to experience the fullness of the prize that waits at the end. Some of us will triumphantly race across, arms held high without so much as having broken a sweat; others of us may have had to endure many hardships along the course. We may limp across; we may need to be helped, arm in arm with another runner holding us up; we may even collapse at the end because of the strenuous race; but we will all finish who are in Christ! Don’t quit now. There is waiting for you a kaleidoscope of colors so rich and vibrant to splash you with life!