The Prize

Hi, and welcome back to the Wilderness blog series! Today, we’re going to wrap up the topic of dealing with disappointment, so to start off with, let’s revisit the ‘running the race’ analogy and do a quick recap.

We’ve established the fact that we need to be real about our disappointments instead of trying to be ‘spiritual’ or live in denial.

We know that thankfulness, celebrating the small victories, and celebrating other people’s successes are great ways to break the curse of comparison, to stop bitterness from taking root in our hearts.

We’ve talked about the fact that we’re not competing against anyone else, and that we’re not to compare ourselves with others. We also know that we’re not in it to be better than other people, or to beat them.

So, what are we in the race for then?

The answer is probably obvious: we’re in it to win the prize.

There are many theories about the prize that we win when we run the race of life (and there are scriptures that refer to prizes too, which you can look up in your own time). But, since this is my blog, I’m going to share with you the prize that I’m running for.

Picture with me, if you will, a child’s sports day. Little Johnny is lined up with the other children on the starting line, leaning forward in anticipation, biting his little lip, excitement etched on his face. The starter gun goes off, and he flies forward, his little limbs going as fast as they can down his lane. His eyes are fixed on the finish line as he puts all his concentration and energy into running as fast as possible. And as he nears the finish line, he doesn’t slow down, he runs full steam ahead… straight into the waiting arms of his dad, who swings him off his feet and into his arms, crying out, ‘Well done, Johnny! You ran so well, I’m so proud of you!”

I’m running for the ‘Well done’ of my Papa.

That’s what it’s all about for me. He is my prize, my delight, my love; and when I’ve finished running my race here on earth, I want Him to sweep me off my feet into His arms, and I want to hear Him say, “Well done, my girl! I’m so proud of you.” (Matthew 25:21)

That’s what I’m running for.

I hope you noticed that, in my story about Little Johnny, I didn’t say whether he can first, second, third or last, because that didn’t matter. What mattered was the fact that he ran well, that his father was waiting for him and was so proud of him.

The ancient Greek athletes received a crown of olive wreaths when they won their race in the early Olympics, but we are promised the most incredible eternal crown – the privilege of being kings and priests in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 1:6), of being with Him in paradise forever. He is the author and finisher of your race of faith. He’s standing on the finish line saying, “Come on! Run well, little one! Keep your eyes on me! Don’t look to the left or to the right! Keep going! Here I am, run to me!”

Fellow runners, let’s train and prepare well.

Let’s run the race that Father has set out just for us, right to the end.

Let’s not compare our track with others or look at how they are doing.

Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus until we run into His arms and hear our Father’s ‘well done’.

Let’s decide today to stop playing that ugly comparison game.

Let’s not compare ourselves with anyone but Jesus, because He’s the only One worth looking to.

By the way, you might also like to know that I am happy to say I can now strike 1 Corinthians 9:24 off my list of ‘problem scriptures’!

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Until next time ….

All I want you to do as we finish this section of blogs is close your eyes and picture yourself at the start of your race. Look up and study the track laid out before you. Hear the sound of tumultuous applause as the host of heaven cheer you on. Look at your heavenly Father, who’s waiting for you. See the look of pride on His face. See the tears in His eyes at your courage. Fix your gaze on Him. Lock eyes with him. Now run and keep running!

 I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions, either by using the contact form or by adding your comments below.