Philippians 3:12–16 (NASB) Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
 | I ran track for a few years when I was younger. I did more field events than anything – mainly shot-put and the discus. I did run some, and my goal for the team was to lose every time. I ran the 440 and the half-mile, which is similar to the 400 & 800 meters today. I had a friend who was a good athlete and middle-distance runner. He ran the half-mile, and our coaches wanted me to serve as his “rabbit.” |
Do you know what a rabbit does on a track team? The “rabbit” sets the pace for other runners who are meant to compete and win. So, for my friend and teammate, I ran the first lap of the ½ mile to set the pace for him. I was to run the first lap between 50-55 seconds for him to use his strong kick on the second lap. He won a lot of races. I, on the other hand, lost every race. Losing just never sets well with me.
The only thing that bothered me about the whole thing was that it didn’t even matter if I finished the race. I could stop running any time after completing the first lap. I just needed to remember my mission, and by helping my friend win, I could share in his victories.
As followers of Christ, there is joy in helping others cross the finish line of life, but we must remember that we, too, are to run the race of life with the intent to win. We are to RUN FOR THE PRIZE, or the GOAL SET BE US.
The only thing that bothered me about the whole thing was that it didn’t even matter if I finished the race. I could stop running any time after completing the first lap. I just needed to remember my mission, and by helping my friend win, I could share in his victories.
As followers of Christ, there is joy in helping others cross the finish line of life, but we must remember that we, too, are to run the race of life with the intent to win. We are to RUN FOR THE PRIZE, or the GOAL SET BE US.
Philippians 3:14 (NLT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
In the Summer Olympics, athletes come from all over the world every four years for one purpose: WIN. Each Olympian strives in their sport to reach the finish line and gain the prize. No doubt all Olympians have a dream, a vision of winning gold!
As we think about the Church and individual believers winning for Christ, take note of researcher George Barna in his statement about vision and the Church.
Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church and to conceive a plan for action that will maximize …ministry potential. …and devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward. Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo.
There is no victory for those who lack vision and the ability to see the bigger picture.
While BARNA addresses the Church or those who make up the Church, the principle he speaks of should apply to all people, especially Christian leaders in the Church, the business world, and other areas of life. An Olympic athlete would never be satisfied with being average or maintaining the status quo. So, why should a church, or a Pastor, the Christian businessman or woman, the Christian student, the Christian Project manager, the electrician, fabricator, or pipefitter? Like Olympic athletes who compete in the Summer and Winter Games, who have devoted themselves to their sport for years, training day after day, and all for one moment in time, they run to be anything but average!
While BARNA addresses the Church or those who make up the Church, the principle he speaks of should apply to all people, especially Christian leaders in the Church, the business world, and other areas of life. An Olympic athlete would never be satisfied with being average or maintaining the status quo. So, why should a church, or a Pastor, the Christian businessman or woman, the Christian student, the Christian Project manager, the electrician, fabricator, or pipefitter? Like Olympic athletes who compete in the Summer and Winter Games, who have devoted themselves to their sport for years, training day after day, and all for one moment in time, they run to be anything but average!
HERE ARE FOUR THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE RUN LIFE’S RACE
| 1) Whatever you do, do so with a mindset to win! Philippians 3:12 (NLT) I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. |  |
Keep this in mind: God never begins a work that He doesn’t expect to finish, nor should we! Note the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
2) A clear vision dictates that we are honest with who we are and where we are going!
Philippians 3:13 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Driving down 26 at 70 mph, how often do we look in the rear-view mirror? If we spend too much time looking behind, we face the danger of losing our focus or vision and finding ourselves in a proverbial ditch that is difficult to escape without much help. At this point, the Apostle Paul had been a follower of Christ for almost 30 years, and his focus was still on Christ Jesus. He could change nothing in his past, and everything with any eternal value was still ahead. The Apostle found the strength to keep pressing onward because he saw the future and being with Christ Jesus.
As the reformers would say, “Our hope is in Christ alone.” Dear friend, I want to encourage you to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and keep your eyes on Jesus. Don’t allow the things of your past to have sway over you because to do so will only keep you living mentally and emotionally in a place where there is no life or joy.
Philippians 3:13 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Driving down 26 at 70 mph, how often do we look in the rear-view mirror? If we spend too much time looking behind, we face the danger of losing our focus or vision and finding ourselves in a proverbial ditch that is difficult to escape without much help. At this point, the Apostle Paul had been a follower of Christ for almost 30 years, and his focus was still on Christ Jesus. He could change nothing in his past, and everything with any eternal value was still ahead. The Apostle found the strength to keep pressing onward because he saw the future and being with Christ Jesus.
As the reformers would say, “Our hope is in Christ alone.” Dear friend, I want to encourage you to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and keep your eyes on Jesus. Don’t allow the things of your past to have sway over you because to do so will only keep you living mentally and emotionally in a place where there is no life or joy.
| 3) Followers of Christ are compelled by faith to run the race of life with discipline. Philippians 3:14 (NLT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. The Apostle Paul pursued Christlikeness with the enthusiasm and persistence of a runner in the Greek games. He learned to run the race under control, i.e., with DISCIPLINE. |  |
Let me encourage you to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and work to be disciplined in your walk of faith, unlike the disqualified runners who do not stay in their lanes. Christian, genuinely pursue the goal of glorifying Christ by keeping your eyes on Him and living so that others will see Him living through your life.
Lastly, 4) to succeed in life, we must take the “CPR” approach and be…
Blessings,
Rod
Lastly, 4) to succeed in life, we must take the “CPR” approach and be…
- Consistent in our actions
- Persistent in our drive
- Resistant to setbacks and those who may tell us we can’t do it.
Blessings,
Rod
