To Run this Race... By Eric Flickinger It is Written Presenter
How committed should we be?
Cathy Freeman. Anna Meares. Jarryd Hayne. Stephanie Rice. Adam Scott. Allan Border.
These athletes determined at an early age to be the best that they could be. And then they followed through on that determination. They surrounded themselves with others who would urge them forward. They sought out trainers and coaches who would bring out the best in them. They didn’t let setbacks or injuries derail them from their purpose. And in the end their names are practically legend.
This small sampling of some of Australia’s most famous athletes has something in common.
How did it happen? Well, at some point in their lives, they decided that their chosen sport wouldn’t just be a pastime for them. It wouldn’t be relegated to the “when I can find the time” drawer. Instead, it would become a part of their lifestyle. Everything that they did, from what they ate, to where they slept, to when they woke up, to who they associated with, revolved around their choice to make their chosen sport a very prominent part of their lives.
While they did compete in different sports at different times, they did not make it into the record books by chance.
The Apostle Paul makes an interesting observation in 1 Corinthians 9:2427. He states, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” The athletes of Paul’s day, just as much as the athletes of our own, competed to obtain a prize that is corruptible. It passes away.
4 | IntraVic photo credit - depositphotos baldyrgan
Whether in the form of a laurel wreath or a digital record that may one day be replaced with a single tap of the ‘delete’ key, the glory achieved in sports is truly only temporary. Of how much greater worth is that imperishable crown that Paul writes about! And the beauty of the picture that Paul paints is this: You don’t have to win the genetic lottery or begin your training at five years old to help you get ready for this race. You can join at any point in your life and the prize (salvation) is available to an infinite number of people. If you are reading this, there is a high likelihood that you are already in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And that is something to rejoice about! But what of the multitudes who don’t yet have that experience? How can we reach them so that they can share in the soon-coming victory parade? A world-class athlete adopts a lifestyle that revolves around their chosen sport. As Christians, we ought to adopt a lifestyle that revolves around what is most important to us; continuing our walk with Jesus and helping others to join us on our journey. So what are some simple steps that will help us to accomplish that? Spend devotional time with God. Mark 1:35 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” He knew He needed to recharge His spiritual batteries regularly and spent time each morning communing with His father. If you are unaccustomed to spending regular devotional time with God, then start small. Five minutes a day is better than nothing. Work your way up from there.
Go to church each week – Daily time spent with God is very important, but coming together each week to enjoy a Sabbath blessing is not to be missed. Hebrews 10:24,25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” As we get closer and closer to Christ’s return, we will need one another’s encouragement more than ever. Choose to be a blessing – Look for opportunities to be a blessing and a help to others. They’ll begin to wonder what motivates you to live such an unselfish life. Live your faith on the outside – Let your relationship with Jesus radiate from you everywhere you go. As people see the joy and peace in your life, they will be drawn to you and wonder what makes you so different. Then you’ll have your opportunity to tell others about your walk with God. It’s always a wonderful thing when others approach you rather than you having to approach them. Pray for opportunities – Ask God each day to lead you to someone with whom you can share the hope that you have in Jesus. Look for opportunities to share Jesus with others – As you interact with people throughout the day, listen carefully to what they say. You may pick up on something that would give you an opportunity to insert a spiritual thought into the conversation. That might be the seed that grows into a baptism.
Carry literature with you – Visit the ABC and pick up a variety of tracts that you can share with people at appropriate times. If you are praying for divine appointments, God will give them to you. Build intentional spiritual friendships with people – We all have secular friends that we interact with all the time. Become intentional in your desire to turn those secular friendships into deep spiritual ones. Seek out training opportunities near you – A number of churches in the Victorian conference have Bible workers who would love to show you how to help others study the Bible. There are also regular training seminars taking place in your area. or you can find free online training from It Is Written by going to salt.training and clicking on the ‘SALT 365’ tab. Become familiar with your church’s evangelism calendar – Every church has activities planned throughout the year that are designed to maximize their ability to reach out to the community with the gospel. Find out when those activities are taking place and what you can do to be a part of them. Some activities will be focused on in-reach, nurturing the members of the church, strengthening and preparing them for other activities which are focused on outreach to the wider community.
Go to prayer meeting – Sometimes the mid-week service gets missed because life just gets too busy. But that mid-week pick-me-up might be just what you need to get you through until Sabbath. Ask your pastor if you can help him/her with Bible studies – Your pastor comes across many people who would like to know more about the Bible and Jesus. Ask if you can accompany them on a Bible study or two and see how exciting it is to watch someone learn what life is all about. The lyrics to a famous hymn begin: “Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, And love that soul through me; And may I bravely do my part To win that soul for Thee.” May that also be our prayer as we journey to claim our imperishable crowns.
Participate in Sabbath School – Many members miss out on a blessing by arriving for church after Sabbath School has come to an end. Catching the sermon and joining friends for potluck is better than nothing, but something special happens during Sabbath School that doesn’t happen at other times of the week.
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