Run to Win!- Part 1
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!” (1 Corinthians 9:24 Amplified)
As I was meditating on this verse, the Holy Spirit began identifying some gems that I believe every believer needs to know and walk in at all times. Let’s examine some golden nuggets from this particular verse:
IT IS YOUR RACE
I used to be a bit confused with this passage on how it mentions everyone runs a race and only one person wins; but as I read it today, the Holy Spirit helped me to see that it is an individual's race (run your race). It has been said that we must compete with ourselves and not others. You compete with the good, better and best of yourself. You compete with your past, present and future self. Who will you allow to win? So it is not about comparing oneself to another person; but if a person runs, they have the potential of winning, depending on the rules of the race.
RULES OF THE RACE
Sometimes, when we think about running, our minds automatically think about speed but not all races are based on speed alone. If it is a short distance race (a sprint), it is mainly based on speed but if it is a Marathon, it is based largely on endurance. To engage in a race, you need to know what the rules of the race are based on. It could be based on the fastest runner, the one who endures to the end, the one who achieves a certain milestone or goal or combination of all. As a runner, you need to know which of these amongst others is important in this race. Our life is a marathon but we have different timelines.
Some have a race that is more of a sprint because it is short lived. A person who would die in the next 1 year has a sprint before them. Even though they may have lived for 60 years, which might initially have started off as a marathon; as they near the finish line, you will observe that those in a marathon initially run with moderate speed with a focus on their endurance. Towards the end of the marathon, it transitions to a sprint race where speed is required to win. We hope for a long life but we don’t know the exact number of years we will live for, except revealed by God and we need to have this at the back of our minds to run in such a manner to win!!!Know the rules of the race and run!!!
RUN
A person may know the rules of the race and what it takes to win and even possibly the length of time they have but without them running, there is nothing to win. It takes only runners to win the prize of the race. Knowledge is not enough, action is needed. What are those dreams that God has given you and what are you doing with them ? It is not enough to be excited that you have been listed as a runner and provided with all the gears and tools to run this race. It requires you to take steps in achieving those assignments and callings of God over your life to move towards pleasing God and winning the prize He has set for you. Just like the parable of the talents, everyone was given a talent to trade with but the servant with one talent, even though he was entrusted and there must have being a reason why the master saw it fit to entrust him with a talent because of his potential, but he did nothing with it. It does not matter the anointing God has bestowed upon a person, without them using it in line with the race set before them, it is a waste! May we never be a waste of investment before God’s sight in Jesus name amen.
CALL TO ACTION
The Holy Spirit is our life coach, that allows us to know the rules of the race, how to train for it and how to achieve that prize. Without Him, it would be trial and error. He is a gift from God and you can have access to Him by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you would like to make that decision today, please say this prayer with me:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of God and I believe You died for me on the cross of Calvary. I know I am a sinner and today, I come to You to forgive me of all my sins and to make me a brand new creation. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord for forgiving me and making me born again, in Jesus name, Amen.”
Congratulations!!!! You are now born-again! (It simply means a new born baby in Christ and there is a great celebration in heaven right now because of YOU!)
If you made this decision, I would love to hear from you today! Please leave a comment on this post or reach out to me at https://www.cccghq.org/contact/
By: Pastor Ibukun Adewusi