Race to Win
In about six weeks, from July 4-26, dozens of cyclists will depart from Barcelona, Spain to compete in the Tour de France. Covering almost 2,100 miles, the route is broken up into 21 stages—7 flat, 4 hilly, 8 mountain, 1 Team Time Trial, and 1 Individual Time Trial—before ending on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Obviously, the winner of this grueling race will accomplish a huge personal goal! But whoever crosses the finish line first won’t get to that point by simply deciding, “I think I’ll hop on my bike and go for a little ride.” The single-minded focus coupled with years of arduous training and thorough preparation will finally pay off in this quest.
Without a doubt, winning the Tour de France is a great human accomplishment in a great sport—yet this race is not the ultimate. The ultimate race is that of the Christian life, and Paul refers to it in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Every race like the Tour de France has its reward, but only one person is the winner. Yes, there are personal victories achieved by most participants, but there’s still only one winner.
Not so in the Christian life—everyone in the race is to run to win the prize, and everyone can.
And what’s the prize?
Not the tangible, temporal medal or trophy or cash payout or endorsements…the prize we’re after is the incorruptible crown of the “Well done, good and faithful servant,” uttered by our Lord at the end of the race.
The winning cyclist won’t get where he is by being lazy, indifferent, and undisciplined. No, he must be “temperate”—or self-disciplined—in all things (v. 25), and so must we. Some interpret this to mean we must always be at work, busily endeavoring to expand the Kingdom. But a winner is disciplined in a balanced, well-rounded way. In his training, study, diet, rest….
Ditto for the Christian.
Yes, we must work hard in our vocation, because we serve the Lord Christ. We must also take care of our bodies, because they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must avoid that which is destructive—mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally—because it’ll knock us out of the race early.
So, friend, as you run the race today, keep your eyes on the prize. What a delight at the end of the day to lay your head on your pillow sensing the Lord’s “Well done!” for this stage of the race.
Obviously, the winner of this grueling race will accomplish a huge personal goal! But whoever crosses the finish line first won’t get to that point by simply deciding, “I think I’ll hop on my bike and go for a little ride.” The single-minded focus coupled with years of arduous training and thorough preparation will finally pay off in this quest.
Without a doubt, winning the Tour de France is a great human accomplishment in a great sport—yet this race is not the ultimate. The ultimate race is that of the Christian life, and Paul refers to it in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Every race like the Tour de France has its reward, but only one person is the winner. Yes, there are personal victories achieved by most participants, but there’s still only one winner.
Not so in the Christian life—everyone in the race is to run to win the prize, and everyone can.
And what’s the prize?
Not the tangible, temporal medal or trophy or cash payout or endorsements…the prize we’re after is the incorruptible crown of the “Well done, good and faithful servant,” uttered by our Lord at the end of the race.
The winning cyclist won’t get where he is by being lazy, indifferent, and undisciplined. No, he must be “temperate”—or self-disciplined—in all things (v. 25), and so must we. Some interpret this to mean we must always be at work, busily endeavoring to expand the Kingdom. But a winner is disciplined in a balanced, well-rounded way. In his training, study, diet, rest….
Ditto for the Christian.
Yes, we must work hard in our vocation, because we serve the Lord Christ. We must also take care of our bodies, because they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must avoid that which is destructive—mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally—because it’ll knock us out of the race early.
So, friend, as you run the race today, keep your eyes on the prize. What a delight at the end of the day to lay your head on your pillow sensing the Lord’s “Well done!” for this stage of the race.
Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash
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