With the buzz of the Olympics in the air, it brings out so many feelings of patriotism, pride, and excitement. It is pure joy to watch our fellow Americans compete and bring honor to our county. What makes it even more exciting is when these fellow Americans also represent Christ. It is a great reminder of the race we are called to run.
“…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1b
Training
All of those Olympic athletes have training. You do not get to the Olympics on a whim, but with intention, focus, and hard work.
Each athlete has a coach. They must listen to the coach. The coach knows the goal, the course, and how to get to the finish line.
Our coach comes in book form. The Word of God is our coach. James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” We must listen to the coach and DO what He says!
There are two aspects to training.
- Physical.
- Mental.
If you have been around any sort of competition or athletics you know you must practice. You break down each fundamental and master it physically. You, eventually, put it all together and practice everything as a whole.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27- “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate n all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be cast away.”
An athlete must make there body do things that it does not want to do.
Most athletes know that the mental training is probably more important than the physical. I love how Peter says it in 1 Peter 1:13, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind.” In Ephesians chapter 4 verse 23 in says “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” and of course most people know the verse in Romans 12 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
In this race we run, the training of our mind is critical to us physically running this race. We must have desire and commitment.
Do you want to win? I DO! We must have a desire to run this race and give it all we got! Webster’s defines desire as to wish or long for; crave. Crave by definition means to have an intense desire for.
Now, after intense training of your body and mind it’s time to step up to the starting line. Are you ready?
On your mark.
Get set.
GO!
The Race Course
We all run a different course and the great thing is we are not running against each other, but rather with each other.
Did I mention it is an obstacle course? There will be obstacles to overcome. There will be injuries along the way but focus on the finish line! Hebrews 12:2 says “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” A runner always looks ahead of him not behind.
Have you seen the picture floating on the internet of Michael Phelps? He is pushing hard to the end looking at the finish line. Did you notice his competitor? He is looking at Michael. He is watching the winner instead striving to be the winner. Focus on the finish line!
And last but not least….Run your guts out! Leave it all on the course!
Blessings!
Kelly
