The race continues

Further to my previous post on my computer woes, which never seem to end, I had very little choice but to call a repair man to fix the problem. It ended up costing me more than I anticipated. As if that's not enough to give me a headache, my printer refused to work. I didn't get much done today. As they say, when it rains it pours. I guess everybody has a day when everything seem to go wrong.

I took some time out and reflected on the suffering of Jesus while he was here on earth. I long to be like him. He, a sinless man, endured the suffering for our sins and never complained. We, who are sinners, complains about everything.

I reminded myself that we are running a race, a spiritual race, which feels more like an obstacle course. During our lifetime we encounter hurdles from time to time that we must overcome. An athlete practices long hours, day after day, to become a better runner and to improve his or her strength and performance. To be a winner takes discipline and dedication. One thing that everyone participating in the race has in common is that each person is running, but there could only be one winner. He or she has to have more speed and agility in order to reach the finish line before the others. You do not get the prize because you ran the race, instead you get the prize because you won the race. In order to win you have to get to the finish line before the others. That's when you see the benefit of the long hours of practice. The worse thing is to get close to the finish line and be disqualified for violation of a rule.

Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. As Christians we are running a spiritual race. We would experience difficulties in life but we should not get discouraged. We need to practice and practice by doing good, living by the Word of God and praying continually. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. We should not get distracted by the pleasures of this world but keep our eyes on the finish line - our heavenly home.

1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

25 - “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.”

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV)- “The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill . .”

I found this lovely poem at www.skywriting.net/inspirational/poems/the_spiritual_race.html that says it all. Thanks Eva.