July 30
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RUN AIMFULLY TO WIN THE RACE
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So, they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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According to quora.com, during the life and times of Jesus Christ, (c. A.D. 1 – A.D. 34,) the sports that were played by citizens of the Roman Empire were like today’s sports in that they were also played professionally. The kinds of sports that were played by men during the life of Christ were as follows: dice rolling, foot-racing, archery, boxing, wrestling, an early variation of soccer, javelin throwing, discus throwing, and the high-jump. The women of the empire participated in athletics as well, namely, competitive dancing competitions. No wonder that Paul gave an illustration of a sporting event like a race in this letter to the Corinthian believers.
In verse 24, Paul reminds them that despite the many participants in the race, in the end, only one wins the prize. So, he advised the believers to run to win. Training is involved in any preparation for the race. Self-control and discipline are very much needed to prepare oneself to compete and be fit to finish the game. Self-control is defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or actions. Discipline on the other hand is defined as an orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern or behavior. In verse 26, Paul he points out the importance of aiming or setting a goal to oneself so they do not run without aiming. When I was in my country of origin, turned my love for cycling into an almost professional level. I biked 60 kilometers daily to keep fit and enjoy the exhilaration of biking. On weekends, I cycled with a club of over 50 men and I was the only woman cyclist. I did this for almost a decade and got offered to be trained to compete internationally but I had a teaching career and was raising a son then. The love for the sports and the discipline I persevered to pursue reaped fruits of health benefits and gave me endurance. Paul was likening the race to our Christian walk to eternity. We train ourselves to make our bodies slave to our purpose so that we will not be disqualified to finish the race. Living life is like a race, you face all kinds of obstacles that need to be completed.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be purposeful and disciplined in serving our Lord Jesus?