He’s the prize
Do you not know that in a race all of the runners run, however just one will get the prize? Run in such a approach as to get the prize. Everybody who competes within the video games goes into strict coaching. They do it to get a crown that won’t final; however we do it to get a crown that can final without end. Due to this fact I don’t run like a person working aimlessly; I don’t battle like a person bating the air. No, I beat my physique and make it my slave in order that after I’ve preached to others, I actually is not going to be disqualified for the prize.
I prefer to run so I’ve all the time liked the visible that the above scriptures present. I all the time envisioned Jesus forward of me, encouraging me to maintain working in direction of Him. Not too long ago, nevertheless, Jesus impressed upon me an important level. Whatever the battle, the victory, or the circumstantial race that I’m in, He’s proper there with me in it. This new degree of perception modified how I envisioned this scripture. It was as if I noticed Jesus standing proper the place I’m standing relatively than ½ a mile forward of me. You see, I’ve all the time considered the race as a strategy of acquiring the prize on the finish of the race. Whereas this can be true of this world, God needs us to run otherwise than the world. To assist us accomplish that, He despatched His Son who by the method of salvation inside us, resides in us, and makes us His dwelling. He lives is in us as we run the race; He takes every step with us, inside us. Maintain on; there’s extra…
What is actually thrilling about that is this: He’s the prize! God needs us to run the race in such a approach as we KNOW that whereas sure, we should run the race, we’ve already received! Jesus is the prize! Working with this fact permits us to run in current victory relatively than run with the hope of finally acquiring the longer term prize. Do you see how this angle permits victory to be present-centered relatively than future centered? As Christians, we’re to stay in such a approach to let the world know that we all know that we’ve already received. Have you ever ever heard that saying, “If you’re saved, remind your face.”? Plainly a bunch of us, me included, have been working round as if we “hope” to win – when in actual fact, God is saying, “I’ve already received! My Son paid the value; now, stroll in that victory, baby. – No, run!”
Let’s add one other layer to this lesson. Since life is “all relational,” we all know that the prize in any state of affairs (whether or not we win or ‘seemingly’ lose) shouldn’t be the earthly prize that’s obtained, however the depth of our relationship with Christ that outcomes from the victory or ‘defeat.’ You see, once we take a look at Jesus because the prize in any state of affairs, we don’t journey by the worldly outcomes that we see earlier than us. On this approach, even when we “seem to have misplaced the race,” if we now have pressed into Christ, and relied on Him, talked with Him, and trusted Him by the method, our relationship with Him turns into extra intimate and He responds to our deep want for Him.
Consequently, our relationship with Christ grows to new ranges. And that, my fellow runners, is the prize! Do you see? He’s the prize! Jesus is our prize in any race, any state of affairs, any circumstance, any victory or obvious “defeat” – He’s the prize. After we come up with this fact, we actually can run in such a approach as to point out that we already know that we now have obtained the prize in Christ Jesus. It’s the strategy of trusting in Him that enables us to acquire the prize proper now within the current. It’s a lovely reward, and it has been graciously introduced to these of us who race in direction of eternity, however who know that we are able to stay victoriously now!
Kristina Seymour likes to encourage and equip girls by the Phrase and thru group. She is the writer of The Warrior Mother Handbook, The Warrior Mother Management Handbook, and The Warrior Spouse Handbook; they’re out there at Amazon.com. Kristina’s Bible research are for ladies who need to stay by religion within the midst of their on a regular basis lives. She has discovered that ladies cannot survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; girls within the Phrase and in group are united and capable of stand agency. To be taught extra about Kristina, please go to her web site, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God likes to share His story of affection and charm by us all, and Kristina believes that everybody has a narrative to inform.
