RIDE TO THE WHISTLE

Howdy folks,

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24).”

In the Bible an athletic contest is often used as an illustration for the Christian life. Most often it is portrayed as race. Runners train with self-discipline so that they can compete with staying power. Likewise, cowboys and cowgirls, who compete in rodeo rough stock and timed events, train hard to be the best in their sport. No matter the personal sacrifice or physical pain that must be overcome, their goal is to have the best time, or ride to the whistle and, in so doing, win the coveted prize for their event.

Once on the trail, you’ll need the same self-discipline to continue growing spiritually and living victoriously. You must be willing to chuck everything that will trip you up. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run, with endurance the race that is set before us.” Remember, that you make it to the short-go, not by how well you perform, but by how well you let Christ perform through you. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

For the faithful servant, there’s a trophy buckle when you finish the work God has called you to do. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Just as every successful athlete keeps looking toward the goal, so you must keep looking to Jesus. The real test of the Christian life as in an athletic contest is steady progress, not spasms of effort or emotion, toward the goal to win the prize.

O I want to be like Jesus
As I walk along this pilgrim way;
O I want to live like Jesus,
Showing forth His beauty ev’ry day.
This my prayer and deepest longing ---
To be pure without, within;
O I want to be like Jesus,
Cleansed from dross and free from self and sin. ---Peterson

On the trail for Him

Mike and Suzann