So Run, That Ye May Obtain.

     I was recently introduced into the world of long distance running. I have found that I must be constantly preparing for a race. Before a race, I must run several practice runs, I must not eat too much before I run, I need plenty of sleep the night before, and I need to be hydrated. I must have discipline to go out and run even when I don't feel like it or else I'm not going to do so well at the race. There are a lot of things I could do that are not inherently bad but if I want to receive the prize I must put my body into subjection and say no.
     In the Bible, Paul likens our lives to that of a runner preparing to win a prize.

           Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,                      that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all                          things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore                  so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my                body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to                          others, I myself should be a castaway.

    It is really just like the life we live as Christians. Jesus paid our entry fee to this race with His blood. We had better be winners. We shouldn't run the race just to make it across the finish line. We should run our best! That might mean giving up some of this life's pleasures to focus more on God and His word. But it is worth it.

    The Bible says that all these little things that we busy ourselves with for the enjoyment of our present life will be burned up.
            But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall                   pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth                     also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things                   shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and                       godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the                           heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
     So let us remember and keep our eyes on our goal. Let's not be distracted with making the journey more pleasant; it will just hinder us on race day.