ETERNITY

[Ranb2khz]

Finish with Joy

Scripture:

"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." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24

There are some events in the Olympics that don't interest me at all. When it comes to track and field, however, I really sit up and take notice. I love to watch the runners — whether it's relay races, long distance runs, or the short sprints. (Probably because I ran track in high school.)

During a recent Olympics, I was watching one of the long distance events. One of the runners started off back in the pack. Gradually he moved up toward the middle. With about four laps to go, he suddenly broke ahead and took the lead. I thought, Is he going to make it? Could he possibly win? But it wasn't to be. In those last laps he fell back again. The next thing I knew, he was in second place, third place, fourth place, fifth place. He didn't even win a medal.

I know what it's like to be in the last lap of a race. You're giving it your all, but your legs feel like rubber — as if you have no control over them. They feel like they are burning inside, and it's so difficult to just keep running, let alone reach for a burst of speed.

The apostle Paul often used athletic terms to describe what it is to be a Christian. In today's opening passage, He wrote about running in such a way as to receive the prize. He told the Ephesians that he had finished his race with joy.

Let's not quit running our race. Let's run to win a prize. Let's finish with joy. In a normal race, we know where the finish line is. We know how many miles or laps we have to run to finish the contest. But when it comes to life, you and I don't really know when we will round that last bend or run that last step. Even though we think we have a long way to go, we might be right at the tape. What an encouragement to live each day for Jesus as though it were our last.

Run well today. Reach for the prize.

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2014-11-01.html