That if you are a Christian, you are a “runner” in God’s race? It isn’t unusual to read the word of Paul as he writes with a reference to athletics. One such example is I Corinthians 9:25-26 “And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They 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.”
I recall in high school we had “Field Day”. The 9th and 12th grades would compete against the 10th and 11th grades. There any number of events, but the high lite of the day was the 100-yard dash. The winner of that race was given the title of “school’s fastest runner”.
We Christians are in a spiritual race. Each of us has been assigned a spiritual lane in which to run. We must run so as to win the prize. Paul said “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
The Hebrews writer talks about “laying aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (12:1) The King James has the word “patience” instead of “endurance”. The Greek word is “hupomone” and it means to be constant when tried. In other words, there is to be no giving up.
In the next verse the writer gives the greatest example of the best runner to ever run the race: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Greely Kirkpatrick