February can be such a peaceful time of year; winter is still fully upon us but we can begin to see that spring is soon coming and we look forward to the longer days, warmer weather, and sunshine. The big football game (that fall sport) is just ahead and that very definite harbinger of spring is just two weeks away: the Daytona 500!
Speedweeks at Daytona started the last week of January, and it runs through the third week of February. Auto racing is very definitely a warm-weather sport, hence the promise of the spring that is coming.
The apostle Paul used running a race as a picture of the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he challenged us not just to run but to run to win, saying, “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.”
We, as believers in Jesus, are running the Christian Race and pressing
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We are moving forward and not looking back. Acts 17:28a says, “For in
him we live, and move, and have our being…” The Lord enables us
to run victoriously. As believers in Christ Jesus, we are all in this race
together. There are no losers in Christ– only winners. Each one of us is
running for the incorruptible crown.
Not only did Paul teach this but he lived it out. In his final epistle, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Having finished his race, Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from the King of heaven.
As we look forward to the melting of this winter into the renewal of spring that is coming and enjoy the big game and the Daytona 500, let’s remember that we are in a race that is our Christian life. Like Paul, run your earthly race to win—and to please your King.