Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Basilea Schlink
Only One Race
Since this life of faith is like a race, we need to give it all we’ve got, because we only get one shot at this life in the body, so run like the wind and give it all you’ve got. When we enter the kingdom of heaven, we don’t want to look back at our lives and see who we’ve coasted to the finish line. We only have one life to live here on the earth before we see the glory that’s coming, so why not act like it’s a 100 meter dash and not a walk in the park (because it’s not).
Headed for the Prize
If you knew that there was a prize like a trophy at the end of the race, you’d probably run a little faster and harder, wouldn’t you? In the same way, we should do what the Apostle Paul wrote about and said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). If you are looking to the finish line and at the Author of your salvation, then you will keep pressing forward and reaching for the “prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
No Looking Back
In our church, we have a saying about our former past sins; we don’t trip over what’s behind us. That’s because we’re too busy looking ahead. When people join our church, they sometimes feel unworthy to join, but the point is, none of us are really good and all of us unworthy (Rom 3:10-12). It is only because God is good that we are saved, so we can look back only to tell others how much we’ve been forgiven, otherwise, looking back in a race is not wise.
Conclusion
Every day our feet hit the floor, we’re off the races, and I don’t mean our jobs. We’re running the race, only once in this life and headed for the high prize in the kingdom while Jesus waits at the finish line, so there is no looking back, only forward, because that’s where we’re headed.
