Read I Corinthians 9:24-27
This passage is written with the backdrop of the Isthmian games - the equivalent of our Olympics. This event was held every two years ten miles outside the city of Corinth. These games brought people from every part of the Mediterranean to compete or just watch. It was the sporting event of the year - drawing the empire’s best talent. Athletes would compete in foot races, broad jumping, discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, and equestrian contests. They would compete fiercely, each striving for the Isthmian crown - a wreath of wild celery.
Winners received a lifetime exemption from paying taxes and serving in the military. They would also receive free tuition at one of their universities. Statues of themselves would be erected along the road that led to the site of the games. But the real prize was the celery wreath, awarded to the winner at the end of the games.
Today’s key for running the race of life well is Purpose, or get energized. In our passage today, verse 26 says, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” This makes it very clear that we should not practice for an event without a goal. Paul said that he did not run without having a reason. Many people today run for fitness, which is a goal. Have you ever noticed that many professional athletes give up running, biking, or whatever sport they were doing when there are no more prizes to win? Why run if you cannot obtain a prize?
Paul asked why in the world someone would fight if they were just going to swing at the air. What is the point of shadow boxing if you are never going to fight? Whatever sport we choose to participate in, or whatever resolution we chose to make… we must not just go through the motions. We need to set a goal before us. Any race that we run, we should aim for the finish line. Do not enter an event; do not enter a resolution, do not live your life or walk your walk without having the goal of finishing.
Another thing to point out is that too many times we focus more on the task than the outcome. There’s a true story of a man who approached a laborer who was laying bricks and asked him, “What are you doing?” The laborer said, “Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?” The man then walked over to another bricklayer and asked, “What are you doing?” And the workman answered with pride, “I’m building a cathedral.” Both were physically doing the same thing, but the first laborer was occupied with the present task, and the other was concerned with the ultimate goal. If we forget the outcome of our task, we will become bogged down in what we are doing. One translation of verse 26 is… “Do not run like a man running aimlessly”. If we want to win in life we must strive towards our purpose. A life without purpose is like a race without a finish line.
Understanding the need for purpose is easy. Defining purpose is difficult. To win the race requires knowing our purpose. Paul tells the Corinthian church that they are to run this race with divine aims and purposes. We are to move through life with purpose and direction. When we know our purpose in life it creates energy for us. A Peace Corps Commercial makes an interesting statement, “If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is.”
Paul knew where the finish line was. He wasn’t shadowboxing. His opponent was real and he fought “not as one who beats the air.” It is interesting to note that Paul stopped using the word ‘we’ in this verse and started using ‘I’. He was trying to let us know that at some point in our walk with God, each individual must become responsible for the way one lives. I can’t save you and you can’t save me. Also, if I am unable to save you, I am also unable to lose you. The only way for someone to be lost is to stop running or fighting. They become fighters that shadow box or beat the air.
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
- Mitch Albom
August 9
Read I Corinthians 9:24-27
This passage is written with the backdrop of the Isthmian games - the equivalent of our Olympics. This event was held every two years ten miles outside the city of Corinth. These games brought people from every part of the Mediterranean to compete or just watch. It was the sporting event of the year - drawing the empire’s best talent. Athletes would compete in foot races, broad jumping, discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, and equestrian contests. They would compete fiercely, each striving for the Isthmian crown - a wreath of wild celery.
Winners received a lifetime exemption from paying taxes and serving in the military. They would also receive free tuition at one of their universities. Statues of themselves would be erected along the road that led to the site of the games. But the real prize was the celery wreath, awarded to the winner at the end of the games.
Today we will talk about Produce, get fruitful. Some of the most frustrating people are those that always talk big, but never accomplish anything. Those that live by the motto, “Do as I say, not as I do”, are especially irritating. I believe that unless you produce something that is meaningful, you have really wasted your time. I have often heard it said that if you were just faithful to the house of God everything would be all right. My friend, part of being faithful is producing when you have the opportunity. Even if you fail, you are producing. Like Einstein once said after one of his many failures, “Well, at least I know it doesn’t work that way.” If you fall flat on your face, you then know you have to try it a little different. Nevertheless, in order to be successful in this race, you must produce.
I once heard it states that on a gravestone it is not the dates that are important, but the dash in between. You will be remembered by what you produced in this life. How is your “dash” today?
“What the statesman is most anxious to produce is a certain moral character in his fellow citizens, namely a disposition to virtue and the performance of virtuous actions.”
- Aristotle
No comments:
Post a Comment