You should have seen our Woodland Hills triathletes competing at the recent Lake Carolina Sprint! A 500 meter swim, an 11 mile bike ride, and a 5 kilometer run. You’d have been proud!
As we cheered them on, I couldn’t help thinking of all the biblical references to athletic contests: If anyone competes as an athlete… he competes according to the rules.1 Everyone who competes… exercises self-control in all things.2 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.3 Run in such a way that you may win.4
The parallels between life as a Christ-follower and an athletic contest are striking.
- Many start out strong; some never finish.
- The pain can be excruciating.
- Sometimes all you can think about is quitting.
- Cheering friends sure do help.
- Nourishment and water along the way are essential.
- There’s nothing like crossing the finish-line.
Well, all this makes me wonder: How are you doing in the race? Are your muscles screaming, “STOP!”? Do you need some nourishment and a cool drink? Have you become distracted and wandered off course? Are you discouraged and ready to quit?
I can hear the Apostle Paul and so many others cheering you on from the sidelines: Press on! Forget what’s behind and press with all your might for the goal! Press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you! 5
2 1 Corinthians 9:25
3 Hebrews 12:1
4 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
5 Philippians 3:12-14