"Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

The Bible often describes the individual believer's life with running a race. Everyone's race is different and it is never against other people. It's not about doing better than others, but simply about doing our personal best. We are to run to win in the sense of working our socks off for Jesus and the cause of the gospel in order to win a crown from him. The danger is that through laziness, an unwillingness to die to self, and a half-hearted commitment to live for Jesus, we might disqualify ourselves from the reward he would love to give us. It has nothing to do with our eternal salvation as 1 Cor. 3:15 makes clear. In fact, it is our very perseverance in the race, despite the difficulties, that proves we are eternally saved.

Winning the prize is also about recognizing what kind of race we are in at any one point, and adjusting ourselves accordingly. What is your race looking like right now? Are others cheering you on or do you feel they are heaping discouragement on you? Are you in a sprint (needing to put everything into it; to really go for it and not to faff around)? Are you in a steeplechase (knowing there will be specific issues to overcome)? Are you in an old-fashioned obstacle race (having to jump or climb over, go round or go under objects designed to slow us down)? Are you in a sack race (dealing with something or someone that is seriously hampering your progress)? Are you in a three-legged race (being tied to another person and having to learn synchronization to avoid disaster)? Are you in a marathon finding it difficult just to keep going (having to rely on others to provide refreshing water along the route)? There are many possibilities. The devil will always be trying to get you to throw the towel in. But the Father would say: "My child, keep going, don't give up, I am with you and have promised to make sure you cross the finishing line."

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb 12:1-3).