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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Have you ever studied Olympic athletes?

Have you heard them interviewed, seen their level of commitment? 

It’s intense.

What if you and I lived our lives before Christ with that same intensity? What would that look like?

Because that’s what Paul’s talking about here.

Beloved, I confess to you that my walk is not Olympic level.

It’s more middle school JV.

But the race isn’t over, nor the fight done.

Pray with me:

Father, today is a new day. Thank you for that. Thank you for forgiving my many false starts and failures. Help me get back into training. As I start this day, give me strength and purpose to live today like it is the most important day of my life, because it just might be.

Amen

Happy Friday, Beloved