Win Your Race
- Brandon Bruce
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 8
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
The moment you were born, you joined the human race! Death is the finish line on earth, but we don’t want to be the first to finish that race. To be born again (John 3:3) includes beginning to see a new race and running toward a better finish line! You are running, but are you running to win your race?
Not everyone runs like they want to win the race. Many are running aimlessly and carelessly! Running your race without intentionality and tenacity leads to a regrettable finish.
Yes, we do have victory in Christ over sin, the grave, and hell. However, once we are saved by God’s grace, it’s now time to pick up the pace and run with greater purpose!
What does it take to win your race?
It’s hard to win a race if you can’t see the finish line! Running aimlessly is often the result of an undefined track or unclear finish. Do you know what your motivation is and are you focused on what a successful finish is for you?
To win, you must also run with passion toward the eternal reward waiting for you! You can’t run casually and expect to hoist the trophy above your head! You have to run with everything you can give! Maintaining that intensity over a long period of time can wear down your motivation.
To sustain your pace, keep your eyes on Jesus, who finished His race on earth victoriously even through great pain and suffering! If you ever start to lose your motivation to run hard, look to the One who left it all on the track for you! What Jesus accomplished for us through the cross drives our vision for all we will accomplish for Him!
Finally, you have to win the race before it starts! You do that through the hard work of preparation and discipline every day. Every athlete set on victory, trains consistently and diligently in preparation for the competition. We train by competing against ourselves and through developing elite spiritual discipline. We improve upon who we used to be and who we would have been without Christ. We develop spiritual disciplines that we practice faithfully with joy. We are equipped and trained with skills in the work God has entrusted to us! You build strength so you can run harder and longer for the glory of God!
When you run your race for Christ and you run to win, you can hang on in the hard part of the race knowing your Heavenly Coach is waiting at the finish line to say well done good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). You’ll have all eternity to celebrate the wins as you enjoy the presence of God and His people!
Right on?
Read/listen to 1 Corinthians chapters 8-10
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