That You May Win

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympic competitor to date. In his Olympic career he won a total of 28 medals, with an impressive 23 of them being gold. Matt Lauer tweeted, “If Michael Phelps was a country by himself, he'd have more gold medals overall than all but 32 of the 205 countries competing.” Mr. Phelps’ accomplishments are certainly noteworthy, and after the Rio games he said emphatically that he is retiring, he is finished competing in the Olympics (Today.com) 

I am so proud of all the athletes who train and work to compete in the Olympic games. They are an excellent example for the spiritual dedication God expects of Christians. In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul wrote: 

"Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Humans are very capable of disciplining themselves to achieve the goals they really care about. Mr. Phelps spent countless hours in the water training and pushing his body to achieve faster and faster times, and gold was his reward. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul wrote: 

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."

God is teaching us to put in the countless hours of study and preparation so that we know His Word and understand how we can be the best tools in His hands to spread the gospel to every lost person we meet (1 Cor. 9:19-23). Push both your understanding of the gospel and your patience with people. Push your love for souls and your willingness to change to gain influence with them. Some just run to finish. We run to win. And winning is bringing more and more lost souls to God each day through the gospel. Winning is standing with them on the judgment day and being welcomed to rest together with the Lord Himself. Run to win.