Friday, March 23, 2012

In It to Win It

Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. -1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

When I was playing Little League baseball as a child, they always handed out a Good Sportsmanship Trophy to a team at the end of each season. As best I can recall, the trophy had little to do with being a good sport. It would have been more accurately labeled the Worst Team in the League Trophy because it was given to the last place team each year. It was almost as if you couldn't be a good sport unless you were not a good team. The winner of the Sportsmanship Trophy really didn't do anything to earn the trophy except be lousy at baseball. But at least all of the other trophies handed out were based on excellence.

A few years ago, I attended an end-of-the-year awards baseball banquet. I expected the banquet to recognize the best teams and players in the league. Instead, every player in the league received the same trophy. It didn't matter if you led the league in home runs or in strikeouts, you received the same award. It didn't matter if you started every game or if you only got to play when a game got out of hand, you got the same thing.

That bothers me. There's no incentive to give your best if the worst is equally rewarded. I understand wanting to make every child feel like a winner but isn't life full of failure and losses too? Shouldn't we be preparing our kids for that?

In our scripture lesson today, Paul emphasizes that, in a race, everybody runs but only one wins. He's not just talking about a sporting event; he could easily be talking about life. So Paul admonishes his audience to run in such a way as to get the prize. This requires discipline and focus. This requires hard work and giving your very best.

But there is a paradox here. In faith, salvation isn't earned. You can give your very best and it still wouldn't be good enough. And yet that shouldn't stop you from offering your very best. It shouldn't stop you from being focused on the ultimate prize that you seek. Such focus and purpose shows your commitment to Christ. It shows that the race is important to you; it shows that you're in it to win it.

May God grant you the grace to run the race of life and faith to win.


Tomorrow's readings are Joshua 21-22, Psalm 47, and 1 Corinthians 10. Sunday's readings are Joshua 23, Psalm 44, and 1 Corinthians 11.

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