The Olympics will soon be happening, and millions of people will be glued to their televisions each evening to watch the exciting events. Athletes from all around the world will compete for the ultimate prize, which is the gold medal.
As Christians, we are also in a race. Our prize is even more important and more exciting than the gold medals of the Olympics. We are running toward eternal life with God in Heaven. Let's take a look at how this race compares with the Olympics.
1. The Goal
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV)
All Olympic athletes have a goal. If not, they would not be successful. After all, they need to have a clear picture in their minds as to what they are working for, and how they plan to accomplish it.
They make achieving this goal a priority. When a young person wants to compete in the Olympics, training for his sport is of utmost importance. He puts a lot of other things on hold while he trains. He may want to play video games or sleep in, but instead he practices and works out. For the time being, he must get rid of anything that holds him back.
Our first goal should be to make sure we have accepted Jesus into our hearts to take away our sins. Then, we want to live each day in a way that pleases him. We don't want to let anything hold us back. We want to get rid of bad attitudes, disobedience, wrong choices, and anything else that can block our relationship with God.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
2. The Preparation
When an athlete trains, she must practice. She can't be good at a sport unless she spends hours working at it. She is constantly trying to improve her skills.
She must also eat nutritious foods and get the right amount of rest so she will always be in peak condition.
The athlete must give her best effort and not be half-hearted. No lazy young man or woman will be a gold medalist. She may get tired, she may get discouraged when she messes up, but she keeps going and doesn't quit.
As Christians, we improve our skills by studying the Bible, praying, and attending Sunday school and church. We "feed" on the Word of God by reading the Bible and putting into practice what we have learned.
Also, we don't want to be half-hearted Christians. And we don't want to give up when things aren't going well. Pray to your Heavenly Father, and he will help you.
3. The Reward
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
(2 Timothy 4:7 NIV)
Winning the gold medal is worth all of the hours and hard work the athlete has put in to his sport. So he keeps his eye on that prize.
Our reward is eternal. We not only will have God's presence and protection with us as we are on earth, but we will live eternally with him in Heaven. That goal is definitely worth everything we put in to it!
"And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." (Philippians 2:16 NIV)
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