by Kala Loptien

The Race We Run

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Sound Cloud link.

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 are for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NKJV

When I was in high school, running was not optional. It was necessary for training and preparing for competition. Now when I run, I have a different mindset. It’s my time to take in my surroundings and praise the Lord with each stride. The views of Pikes Peak and the fresh mountain air kickstart my running prayer. Surrounded by the Creator’s canvas, I begin a lengthy route and conversation with the Lord. The final stretch always makes me want to lengthen my stride and pick up my pace a little more. I want to finish strong (I can still hear my dad cheering me on in the stands.)

A handful of verses in the Bible compare our faith journey to that of a race. Your level of training and dedication are often key performance indicators. Will you finish strong? Be at a personal best? In this Corinthians verse, Paul talks about the race of our life. All of the accomplishments, medals and material possessions in the world are fleeting and temporary. But our life as Believers? It’s the ultimate race.

The New King James Version has a beautiful title: Striving for a Crown. We are called to work hard, serve the Lord, love one another, persevere when the road gets tough and give our heart to the one who enabled our heart to beat. We won’t ever be perfect runners or perfect people. But with the Lord’s help, we can strive with all our might to live for Him. We are children of God and will receive our crown because the King has won the race for us.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

*NKJV chapter title