Run...to Win!
“’I have the right to do anything,’ you say-but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’-but not everything is constructive.”
—I Cor. 10:23
“I don’t drink and I don’t chew and I don’t go out with girls who do.” Somehow this is where I arrived as I was trying to explain to Jacob, my then 10-year-old, that we are to do good, but doing good wasn’t enough to get you into heaven.
Paul tried to help the Corinthians with this same issue. Many of them were still practicing the forms of legalism they had given in to before they had become Christians. At the same time, other Christians were not inclined to submit to any law, believing they had been delivered by Christ from having to do so. Their use of that freedom resulted in overindulgence and conflict with their brothers and sisters in Christ, and was hurting their witness.
In one sense they were both right, but in another sense, they were both wrong. As Christians, we do not live by a list of dos and don’ts. Yet, we must be careful that the “exercise of our freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak (I Cor. 8:9).” We are to live out our lives as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. This means that there may be some things that are okay for us to do, but others that are wrong; because, they get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in our lives, especially as He may want to use us to witness to the world around us.
What was most important to Paul was to live his life in such a way as to win others to Christ. He would write that he tried to be “all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some (9:22).” He used the analogy of a race. For him, it wasn’t enough to just run the race. He wanted to win the prize…to help others to know the Savior. He did not need to live by a bunch of rules. He knew he was free to do what he wanted; but, in order to reach others, he would have to watch out for what would prevent others from listening to the message of the Good News.
So often, we may be tempted to quit. The race is difficult. It takes everything we got to keep living our lives in the way that we have been called to do. The temptation may be to take an easier path, settle into a lifestyle that is more comfortable, one that is safer in some way. But, what have we been called to do? Where have we been called to go? We, too, must finish the race, to continue to allow the Lord to use the circumstances of our lives, the difficulties we face, the obstacles we have to overcome, to His glory and to accomplish His purpose.
Run the race…but, run to win!
When my son Jacob joined the cross country team, it was a bit of a surprise as he had never shown any interest in running and I was certain he wouldn’t enjoy it. But, having several of his friends also on the team was motivation enough for him. At first, we told him to keep his goals simple. We didn’t want him to get discouraged. All we wanted for him to try to accomplish was to finish the race. That, in and of itself was asking a lot. In order to do so, he had to go through some rather strict training.
As you consider the race God has called you to run, are you finding it difficult to persevere? As Paul describes, we too may need to go into “strict training” so that we are not “disqualified,” but are able to finish our race. Do you have regular practices and rhythms built into your life such as reading the Scripture and praying, meeting with other Christians who can help you to grow and hold you accountable? Consider fasting, lectio divina, solitude and silence, spiritual retreats, centering prayer, or find a spiritual director to help you grow in your own discernment.
After praying about these, choose one that you can commit to practice for the next several weeks. Consider them as a bridge to get from where you are to where you feel God is leading you.
