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Breath
of Power
A Weekly Devotional of Jesus Power Outreach Ministries
Week 27: June 30 - July 6, 2003
GO FOR GOLD!
Key Passage: 1 Cor 9: 24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
“Go for gold! Go for gold!” That was the sound of the voice of Carl Lewis, one of America’s foremost sprinters of recent history, to his teammate at the last lap during an Olympic relay race. That portrays the spirit that every true athlete should possess. Some people enter a race just to compete. I have heard people say that the most important thing in a competition is the joy of participating. That is the confession of losers. True athletes should compete to win.
The Scriptures in this passage encourages the believers to run their Christian race with the spirit of a champion. We should put in our best and determine to make it to Heaven with trophies. It is not just a matter of being born-again, but living a victorious Christian life: having a deep personal relationship with God, overcoming temptation, resisting the devil, being active in soul winning, being effective in prayers and Bible study and being a true ambassador for Christ wherever we are. All these and many more are the things it takes to be a victor.
We all know that it takes a lot to produce a champion. More than having the natural talents, an athlete needs a lot of training, discipline and exercise to bring out the best in him. Sometimes, some athletes stretch themselves to the limit to give themselves an edge over their opponents. They put in all those in pursuit of earthly laurels, which are merely temporary. Then, what about us, believers, who are seeking heavenly honor that will last forever?
There is no joy in losing, and we as believers should run our race with fortitude and perseverance, and with a resolve never to lose. What a tragedy it will be for God to tell us at the end, “I don’t know you.”
Pray, “Lord, help me not to end my race in disgrace; give me the grace to overcome.”
Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi
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