"Running in Place or Running the Race?"

 

“Running in Place or Running the Race?”

 

During fall and spring my high school gym teachers would have us run in place inside as part of our exercise routine when weather prevented our using the track on the athletic field. This provided activity but accomplished little since there was no competition or goal to aim for. It was much different at a track meet when all the participants would strive to reach the finish line first, be it a 100 yard dash or mile run.

In his epistles Paul used a number of different metaphors to illustrate how the church functioned as well as our individual progress as followers of Christ including the human body (his most familiar one), a garden, an army, a flock and a family. At least seven times, however, he likened life as a believer to running a race. What are some of the parallels?

*Both have a purpose--his desire was that he “…did not run or labor for nothing.” (Philippians 2:16) but “…complete the task the Lord Jesus has given (him)—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24).

*Both are to avoid distractions—he told the leaders of the Ephesian church, “…None of these things (i.e. his ministry struggles) move me….” (Acts 20:24, NKJV) as he “…pressed on toward the goal to win the prize ….” (Philippians 3:14).

*Both have the desire to finish well—he challenges us to “Run to win.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, TM) as he did (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”—2 Timothy 4:7). (See the early-on article “Finishing Well”.)

Pastor Rick Warren once observed that “Committees take minutes but waste hours!” For this reason his church didn’t have boards or committees but teams, a philosophy we adopted in our New Hampshire church. Sports teams might look good on paper and be projected to win a championship but unless they “run the race rather than run in place” it’s nothing but empty talk. The same is true for us as the people of God. So let’s stop running in place and commit ourselves to running the race to God’s glory.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan