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… Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
The Apostle Paul was very familiar with Greek culture, including the Olympic games. In this particular passage, he used the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life. Finishing the race wasn’t good enough for Paul. He wanted to win his race, and he wanted to inspire all of us to win our races too.
Athletes in ancient Greece were incredibly popular, just as athletes are today. They trained, worked, and labored under their coaches’ instruction for one purpose: to be the one standing on the podium, wearing the wreath of a champion. Everything in their lives was subjugated to that purpose, and everything was evaluated by how it contributed to, or detracted from, winning the race. Dedication, intensity, passion, and focus were the traits of athletes who strove to win, just as they are for athletes today.
Paul encourages us to run with the same fierce dedication to winning our race. We honor Christ with everything we are and everything we do. But our reward is different. God will not look you over for medals, diplomas, or wealth amassed. He will look you over for the people you have positively impacted and how well you have fought the fight and endured the trials of life. The day after the race at the Olympic games, the wreath had already wilted, but our wreath is imperishable – lasting for all eternity. Christ died so that you might win at this game of life and live with Him forever.
Some rewards don’t mean much because we didn’t work hard for them. The imperishable crown of victory we win for following Christ, though, matters because it is dearly won. Is the imperishable crown worth fierce dedication in your life? How are you doing on your journey toward winning the race? What needs to change to finish well?
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