Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

In this passage, the Apostle Paul compares our life here on earth with running a race. As a runner, I’m always looking for Bible passages that mention running or races. When I prepare for a long race, I will train for several months: running, swimming and doing exercises. I also try to eat less junk food. When the day of the race arrives, my hope is to run the best race that I can.

I’ve never actually won a race – I’m not a particularly fast runner. Occasionally I have finished first in my age group, and the prize is usually something nice: a medal, or a ribbon. As Paul says, we all compete, but only one will win the race, and the winner’s prize is something perishable.

In our earthly, life-long race for the eternal prize, we are not competing against each other, but we all are striving to reach the same goal: God’s promise of salvation. There is no training for this race – we are in it from the beginning. And, as we live our lives, we need to stay aware of our goal and not to yield to earthly desires. As Paul says, we need to enslave our bodies, so that we are not distracted by things of the flesh. None of us would want to be disqualified from this race!

As we run our earthly race, some parts may seem easy and some may be very difficult, just like any race. But we can always rely on God for help as we run towards our goal.

Dear Lord, thank You watching over us as we run our earthly race. Please help us not to be distracted, but to stay focused on our goal of eternal life with You. Amen.