And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5)
Our lives as children of God are not static but are constantly progressing. When the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, who was his son in the faith, he let Timothy know that his life on this side of eternity was not that of a mere runner but that of a competitive runner: “And also if anyone competes in athletics…” (2 Timothy 2:5). Why do you think Paul used this analogy when admonishing Timothy? I think the answer is very simple: this very same mindset governed Paul’s life and ministry. God has graced every one of us with purpose and destiny, and for us to accomplish our purpose requires two things:
The grace of God – this is something that God has lavished upon us through our faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
An unwavering commitment to this unique destiny and calling over our lives – the mindset of a competitive athlete.
When the Apostle Paul wrote from his prison cell to the church in Philippi, he gave us an insight into the attitude we all need to be able to fulfill our destines. This insight is found in Philippians 3:13: “Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”. First, never fall into the deception that you have “arrived” in life; our life in Christ will be in a constant state of progression in getting to know Him and growing in our calling. Second, everything worth pursuing in life will require pressing into; if it is worth it, it will need to be pressed into. To reach forth requires a little bit of stretching – don’t be afraid to stretch your faith: the reward will be worth it. May the Lord give us all the ability to resist the temptation to settle for something less than what our God-given potential has graced us to possess in Christ. Finally, I would like to encourage every one of you with these words: “Run like that, that you may win” (1 Corinthians 9:24, Word English Bible).
Declaration: I am running my race as one who will obtain everything the Lord has called me to possess in Christ Jesus.
Scripture: let us run with endurance the race God has set before us….think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up (Hebrews 12:1,3).