RUNNERS BE THERE
Do you run for fun, for exercise or for a prize? Running has become a popular form of exercise, recreation and competition in America. Children everywhere seem to enjoy running and racing each other before they understand other sports. Runners were likely the first athletes. Footraces held in Olympia Greece in 776 B.C., were the beginning of the “Ancient Olympics”. The Ancient Olympics were held every four years for 1200 years and became a major “religious” event in Greece. The Isthmian Games held every two years in Corinth during the Roman Empire were second only to the Olympics. The Apostle Paul mentioned them in writing to the Corinthians.. “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 game goes into strict training. They do it to receive a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26)
The game of life is a race to eternity. You don’t know when you will reach the finish line. For some it may be a short dash and for most a marathon. To win the crown that will last forever, you must give your life to Jesus and accept His gift of eternal life and testify that He is your trainer and coach. Paul wrote in Acts 20:24, “However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if I only may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me --- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Are you running for or from Jesus? He desires that you be on His team. Jesus won the race that He ran for you. He defeated death. He said “It is finished.” (John 19:30) If you are running from Jesus, it is time to stop and accept His invitation to run for Him. You need to do it now before you reach your finish line. Only by running for Jesus can you win the eternal crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award you on that day. BE THERE in the winner’s circle (Heaven) to receive your eternal prize.
Do not let other runners or things keep you from finishing the good race for Christ. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “You were running the good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7) Your race may seem long and difficult unless you focus on Jesus and the finish line. Hebrews 12:1-3 should encourage you. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Your life is a race that doesn’t let you quit before the finish line set by God. You must keep running through the pain and the rain. Paul wrote to his young running partner Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall award me on that day---and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Keep the faith. Run your earthly race to win eternal life in Heaven. Can you imagine running in Heaven? You will run on streets of gold with no pain or rain. BE THERE
