Races and prizes.

2 Timothy 2:5 says, “And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.”

So many metaphors are used to describe the Christian lifestyle. One particular one that I want to focus on today is that we are running a race. 

Our verse today tells us that athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. This means we cannot expect to win the prize if we don’t run the race. We also cannot expect to win the prize if we follow the worlds rules. This race was not orchestrated by the world nor is it judged by the world. God is the one who sets the race and He is the one who judges the race. The rules are found in the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work“, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

So, if we want to win the prize God has set for us, we must ensure that we run the race God has set for us and that we follow God’s rules.

If you believe that rules are made to be broken- perhaps it’s time you re-strategise. Choose victory over defeat and ensure that you are running the race set by God and you are following His rules. Don’t be disqualified over worthless or temporal things. Run your race with endurance. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Don’t look to the right or to the left lest you run the risk of comparing yourself to people who are running an entirely different race. Lastly stay in your lane. Don’t run your mother’s race or your friends race. Run your own race, the one set for you by God.

The beautiful thing about life’s race is that no one knows where their finish line is. So, make every single day count. Live your life wholly unto God and do all things to glorify His Name. That’s how we win the race, by living life God’s way and staying in our lane. 

Have a blessed week.