Run the Race
The word "race" means: competition of speed.
Karters must love to race, because we love competition and speed. We race in
different formats, all with the same goal, to go across the finish line
first. Multiply that by the number of races in our particular series and you
have a race season. As the season rapidly approaches we must again make the
decision to race or not to race. We weigh the cost and if we decide to race
it's time to get into action.
What is it about racing that captures us,
motivates us to action, changes our life style and causes us to pay the
cost? Certainly it's the excitement of speed, the close competition and
seemingly the release of our very souls. For that we give it all we have and
receive momentary reward. It also offers relief from the other race called
the "rat race", the monotonous spin of life. But remember, even in our kart
races we end up where we started.
Another meaning of the word race is: a steady
onward movement or course. This is the race God would have us on and it
offers eternal rewards. Christianity is not an hour a week spiritual event
like running a 10 lap or 30 min. race, but a moment by moment, on site
relationship with the living God. Our coach, the Word of God, challenges us
this way. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25: "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."
From this we can see the Christian life needs
determination, strict training, with direction and intention, with the goal
of an eternal reward. Our earthly goal is to bring glory to God in all areas
of our lives. Have you ever said, when you see the wrong in our society,
"that's not the way it should be?" Jesus changes the wrong in us when we
trust in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and makes
us the change agents where we live.
Ken Dressler
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