Running to Finish

Lately I've been watching the Olympic coverage on television, and there are always memorable moments of the ecstasy of victory and the bitterness of defeat.  It is remarkable to consider the dedication, drive and ability to compete at a high level and to execute disciplines when the pressure is on.  I imagine athletes on a global stage face incredible pressure from themselves, the watching eyes and the expectations placed upon them to perform.

A difficult thing to witness is when officials deem a runner in a track event to be guilty of a false start.  Runners are usually aware they are the culprit during a nervous wait while officials convene to confirm the fault, and then one official walks in front of the runner's lane and holds up a card that disqualifies them from further competition in that event at the Olympic games.  Think of it!  A lifetime of training and hard work by a person gifted with athleticism beyond their fellow countrymen can be snuffed out in a moment by eagerness to start well.  For those who false start at the Olympic games, it is another four long years to wait for an opportunity to qualify to represent a nation in an event at the Olympics.

In a race where all competitors are deemed to have had a fair start, there can be only one winner.  To be an Olympian and to even make the final race are enormous accomplishments of themselves worthy of recognition.  But to make it to the Olympics and be disqualified before a race begins and thus be denied a chance to compete is tragic indeed.  A world-class runner is recognised by fair play according to the rules of the games, and Paul sought to avoid disqualification in his spiritual race according to the Gospel of grace in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:  "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. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

Olympians compete for medals of gold, silver and bronze for successfully completing the race, and Paul looked for an enduring prize of infinite value that could not be stolen, lost or sold on eBay:  an imperishable crown received from Jesus.  The issue was not of a false start but the risk of veering from the course or not finishing at all.  If people are willing to subject their bodies to strict diet, training and competition with the chance to medal in the Olympics, believers should we disciplined in our eating, drinking, speaking and liberties with the aim of subjecting ourselves to the example of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit because God has qualified us for eternal glory.  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:5, "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

Olympians must be subject to the international rules of their sport and the Olympic officials to qualify for a final or win a medal, and all believers are called to be subject to our Saviour Jesus Christ and one another in love and humility.  Our steps are not governed by lines drawn around a track but faith in God led by the Holy Spirit according to the God's word.  By God's grace believers can one day say with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."  Runners who stumbled and fell on the track during a race have sprung to their feet and continued on to victory, and may we show the heart and resilience to follow Jesus in like manner.