RUN WITH AMBITION

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Memory verse: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

In every natural sporting race, those that run, do so with the ambition to win the highest or best prize. Though many athletes take part in a race, only one emerges as the winner. Winning comes with a prize and at a price. That price is the ability to train well, be motivated and run with full determination and diligence. In the same way, the journey to eternity is like a race and anyone who desires to win, must run with the ambition to win and must therefore, run diligently and faithfully in order to win, The prize in question is a crown of glory which qualifies a believer for eternity with God.

As believers, we should never forget that we are in a race towards eternity and just like earthly competitions where the best athlete receives a deserving prize, we also should strive to run diligently in order to finish strongly and obtain a prize. We should also remember that the prize we are striving to obtain is of much lasting and better value that the ones that are awarded for worldly competitions. In that case, we should take a cue from athletes and avoid every distraction. Physical athletes do not enter into a race just for the fun of it. They have an end goal in mind and that is to come out not only victorious but also to win the ultimate prize at the end of the race. Meanwhile, the prize they race for is perishable and of no real lasting value. Yet they wake up every morning to train vigorously and deny themselves sleep, rest and certain luxuries, which they feel will stand in the way of their winning. They go to the extent of maintaining strict diet and exercise regimes and prepare themselves mentally and physically, yet for a perishable prize.

Likewise, we believers should glean some insight from these athletes. If they can put in their all just because they want to win a perishable prize at the end, then we should put in even more effort in our Christian race because the prize at stake is of ever lasting value and more important than anything this world can offer. Our prize is Heaven where we will walk side by side with our Lord and Master Jesus. The beauty and glory of Heaven cannot be compared with the most glorious place here on earth which will one day perish and be no more. As disciplined spiritual athletes, we too should be focused on the prize and train our flesh to submit to the will of God. We should daily search the word, spend time in prayer and show great determination to win.

Worship/praise God and then take the following prayer points:

1. O Lord, give me the determination and focus as I run the race for eternity, in Jesus name.

2. Father, uproot every distraction that will keep me off track, in Jesus name. 

3. Lord, build me up and prepare me fully fit and ready for the race, in Jesus name.

4. We pray for peace in our nation to enable us serve you better so that we can qualify for the ultimate prize, in Jesus name.