July 2021
Running Your Race
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)
“On your mark... Get set... GO!” All 24 bikes took off from the starting line and headed around the track. In conjunction with the annual Bike-A-Thon, their principal had announced that there would also be a picnic and a one mile bike race just for fun. The Bike-A-Thon had been planned so that the Christian school students could raise money, half which would be used to buy new computer equipment for their Christian School, and the other half would be sent to a missionary family in the Philipines.
Who can help getting excited about the possibility of being the winner in a race? At the word, “GO!” Jace took off, pedaling as fast as his legs could go. He pulled ahead of several bike riders, but there were still two more bicycles just ahead of him.
By the time they rounded the half-mile point, the muscles in his legs were already burning, but his competitive nature kept him pushing on. Soon he had passed the second rider, and now the finish line was in view. The older boy who had stayed out front for the entire race thought he had it won, but Jace was pretty sure he could pour on an extra burst of speed and pass him. The front rider slowed down slightly so that he could smile and wave at the camera as he approached the finish line, and all of a sudden Jace whizzed right past him and was the first to cross it. The whole school cheered and clapped. The trophy was going home with him!
Jace was a little bashful about all the thumbs up and pats on the back he received, but he was happy, too. Even Andy, who had almost won the race, came over to shake his hand and tell him, “Congratulations.”
Their half-day outside had been lots of fun, and now it was time for the picnic. Mr. Wright, their principal, quieted the group so he could speak to them and pray before their food was served.
“Students, we’ve had a fun day together, and I want to commend you on how hard you worked to raise pledges for the Bike-A-Thon. YOU have worked and raised enough to send $1,275. to the Lucas family in the Philipines, and the same amount for our computer here at the school. I want to remind you that I didn’t do it, and the teachers didn’t do it. All of you, the students in our school, you did it! You can be thankful and proud of a job well done.” The clapping and cheering sounded long and loud when they heard they had not just met, but surpassed their goal!
“Also, I want to present this trophy to Jace, who was the winner in the race that we held today.” Everyone clapped again as Jace walked up to receive the small trophy.
Mr. Wright continued: “I want to remind you that the Bible tells us that we are all in a race. In our spiritual race though, we are not in a competition with each other. Instead we are striving to compete with ourselves. We are working and striving to run faster, reach higher, and do more for God than we did in the past, so in a sense, the me I am today is competing against the me that I was yesterday. I don’t have to be as good as anyone else in living for Jesus, but I do need to be the best I can be, and better than I’ve ever been before.”
“So the only person I am trying to compete with is myself, and the only Person I’m trying to measure up to is Jesus Christ. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowlege of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) I want to become more like Him, and live more like Him, and do the things that Jesus did. That’s what it means to be Christ-like.”
“Today I want to remind you that after you ask Jesus to come into your heart, that’s just the beginning, not the end. From now until you get to Heaven, you are running a race, and the Bible challenges you to do your best and run to win.”
“Let me remind you that the Bible itself is the supernatural fuel and food that we need to energize us to run. First Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” Matthew 4:4 says, “...It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The Bible gives us the spiritual food and strength that we must have in order to win. Have you fueled up for your race today?”
“The next thing I want to mention is the rule. We know about rules at school, but God’s rules supercede all others, and again, we find out what is right and wrong in running our race by learning from this Book. Just like a runner in the Olympics could be disqualified for breaking the rules, even though he might have been the first to reach the finish line, the Bible instructs us to ‘strive lawfully’ which means obeying God’s rules. “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (II Timothy 2:5)
“For instance, it’s good to have a goal to pass out Gospel tracts, and some of you do that every week. But even if you pass out 100 Gospel tracts, but you tell a lie or cheat on a test, you have disqualified yourself from being a winner in God’s eyes. God sees everything, and He is the only One who really matters. You may impress other people, but if you do not run your race according to God’s rules, you will be ashamed when you stand before Him someday.”
“Along the same lines, the pull is what can weigh you down and keep you from winning. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1) Runners don’t put on big, heavy boots and 20 pound backpacks if they intend to win a race, and we need to part with the things that slow us down, too. First is sin that so easily puts up a roadblock in our way, but the Bible mentions weights, too. Maybe it’s a habit or activity that wastes too much of your time, or a friend who doesn’t draw you closer to the Lord, but pulls you farther away. Whatever is slowing you down, you will have to part with it if you intend to be a winner in God’s race.”
“Again I want to point out the Bible and Prayer as the Tools we need if we have to make repairs. One of the main reasons why your parents provide you with a Christian education is so that you can learn about the Bible and memorize verses, and our goal is that you will make God and His Word the central focus of your life. If your bike chain had come off during the race today, you might have needed to use some tools to fix it. A race car driver has mechanics and tools waiting with his pit crew to fix or adjust anything needed to help him win a race.”
“Anytime you have a crash or break-down or problem in your Christian race, the Bible and Prayer are the right tools to get you back in the running. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:15-17) Those words ‘throughly furnished’ mean that I have everything I need for the entire journey. Where can I find everything I need? It’s in the Bible!”
Today it was the School who was cheering you on as you completed the race. But do you know who is watching and cheering for you in your spiritual race? The Bible says, “...seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” because all of those who have gone on to Heaven are cheering us on. Maybe you have a grandparent who was saved and is now waiting in Heaven. Maybe you have heard of Bible characters or great preachers from the past that you think about and admire. Remember that they are a part of that great cloud of witnesses. Because God is watching and they are watching, we ought to be challenged to do our very best as we run this race.”
“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 Corinthians 9:24-25) The Apostle Paul used running a race to picture the Christian life more than anyone else in the Bible, and challenged all Christians to do their best. Jewel is the word that we will use, instead of trophy like we have here today, to represent the prize or crown for winning the race. In the ancient Olympic games, the winner was crowned with a wreath made of leaves that would wither and die, but we can win a crown that will last, and have something to cast at Jesus’ feet someday and show Him that we love Him.”
Paul was near the end of his life when he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rightouesness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)”
“Today’s race is history, but our spiritual race is still being run. Have you entered the race? Are you sure that you are saved and on your way to Heaven? Are you giving it your best so that you can please the Lord and hear Him say, ‘Well Done’? I want to challenge you to focus on the finish line and give your all for the glory of God.”
The hot dogs and chips of the picnic quickly disappeared among the hungry kids. The noise and cheers of the day were soon over, too. But the lesson about running the race remained in Jace’s thoughts for a long time. “I want to run my race like a winner, so Jesus can be pleased with me.”
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)
“On your mark... Get set... GO!” All 24 bikes took off from the starting line and headed around the track. In conjunction with the annual Bike-A-Thon, their principal had announced that there would also be a picnic and a one mile bike race just for fun. The Bike-A-Thon had been planned so that the Christian school students could raise money, half which would be used to buy new computer equipment for their Christian School, and the other half would be sent to a missionary family in the Philipines.
Who can help getting excited about the possibility of being the winner in a race? At the word, “GO!” Jace took off, pedaling as fast as his legs could go. He pulled ahead of several bike riders, but there were still two more bicycles just ahead of him.
By the time they rounded the half-mile point, the muscles in his legs were already burning, but his competitive nature kept him pushing on. Soon he had passed the second rider, and now the finish line was in view. The older boy who had stayed out front for the entire race thought he had it won, but Jace was pretty sure he could pour on an extra burst of speed and pass him. The front rider slowed down slightly so that he could smile and wave at the camera as he approached the finish line, and all of a sudden Jace whizzed right past him and was the first to cross it. The whole school cheered and clapped. The trophy was going home with him!
Jace was a little bashful about all the thumbs up and pats on the back he received, but he was happy, too. Even Andy, who had almost won the race, came over to shake his hand and tell him, “Congratulations.”
Their half-day outside had been lots of fun, and now it was time for the picnic. Mr. Wright, their principal, quieted the group so he could speak to them and pray before their food was served.
“Students, we’ve had a fun day together, and I want to commend you on how hard you worked to raise pledges for the Bike-A-Thon. YOU have worked and raised enough to send $1,275. to the Lucas family in the Philipines, and the same amount for our computer here at the school. I want to remind you that I didn’t do it, and the teachers didn’t do it. All of you, the students in our school, you did it! You can be thankful and proud of a job well done.” The clapping and cheering sounded long and loud when they heard they had not just met, but surpassed their goal!
“Also, I want to present this trophy to Jace, who was the winner in the race that we held today.” Everyone clapped again as Jace walked up to receive the small trophy.
Mr. Wright continued: “I want to remind you that the Bible tells us that we are all in a race. In our spiritual race though, we are not in a competition with each other. Instead we are striving to compete with ourselves. We are working and striving to run faster, reach higher, and do more for God than we did in the past, so in a sense, the me I am today is competing against the me that I was yesterday. I don’t have to be as good as anyone else in living for Jesus, but I do need to be the best I can be, and better than I’ve ever been before.”
“So the only person I am trying to compete with is myself, and the only Person I’m trying to measure up to is Jesus Christ. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowlege of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) I want to become more like Him, and live more like Him, and do the things that Jesus did. That’s what it means to be Christ-like.”
“Today I want to remind you that after you ask Jesus to come into your heart, that’s just the beginning, not the end. From now until you get to Heaven, you are running a race, and the Bible challenges you to do your best and run to win.”
“Let me remind you that the Bible itself is the supernatural fuel and food that we need to energize us to run. First Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” Matthew 4:4 says, “...It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The Bible gives us the spiritual food and strength that we must have in order to win. Have you fueled up for your race today?”
“The next thing I want to mention is the rule. We know about rules at school, but God’s rules supercede all others, and again, we find out what is right and wrong in running our race by learning from this Book. Just like a runner in the Olympics could be disqualified for breaking the rules, even though he might have been the first to reach the finish line, the Bible instructs us to ‘strive lawfully’ which means obeying God’s rules. “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (II Timothy 2:5)
“For instance, it’s good to have a goal to pass out Gospel tracts, and some of you do that every week. But even if you pass out 100 Gospel tracts, but you tell a lie or cheat on a test, you have disqualified yourself from being a winner in God’s eyes. God sees everything, and He is the only One who really matters. You may impress other people, but if you do not run your race according to God’s rules, you will be ashamed when you stand before Him someday.”
“Along the same lines, the pull is what can weigh you down and keep you from winning. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1) Runners don’t put on big, heavy boots and 20 pound backpacks if they intend to win a race, and we need to part with the things that slow us down, too. First is sin that so easily puts up a roadblock in our way, but the Bible mentions weights, too. Maybe it’s a habit or activity that wastes too much of your time, or a friend who doesn’t draw you closer to the Lord, but pulls you farther away. Whatever is slowing you down, you will have to part with it if you intend to be a winner in God’s race.”
“Again I want to point out the Bible and Prayer as the Tools we need if we have to make repairs. One of the main reasons why your parents provide you with a Christian education is so that you can learn about the Bible and memorize verses, and our goal is that you will make God and His Word the central focus of your life. If your bike chain had come off during the race today, you might have needed to use some tools to fix it. A race car driver has mechanics and tools waiting with his pit crew to fix or adjust anything needed to help him win a race.”
“Anytime you have a crash or break-down or problem in your Christian race, the Bible and Prayer are the right tools to get you back in the running. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:15-17) Those words ‘throughly furnished’ mean that I have everything I need for the entire journey. Where can I find everything I need? It’s in the Bible!”
Today it was the School who was cheering you on as you completed the race. But do you know who is watching and cheering for you in your spiritual race? The Bible says, “...seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” because all of those who have gone on to Heaven are cheering us on. Maybe you have a grandparent who was saved and is now waiting in Heaven. Maybe you have heard of Bible characters or great preachers from the past that you think about and admire. Remember that they are a part of that great cloud of witnesses. Because God is watching and they are watching, we ought to be challenged to do our very best as we run this race.”
“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 Corinthians 9:24-25) The Apostle Paul used running a race to picture the Christian life more than anyone else in the Bible, and challenged all Christians to do their best. Jewel is the word that we will use, instead of trophy like we have here today, to represent the prize or crown for winning the race. In the ancient Olympic games, the winner was crowned with a wreath made of leaves that would wither and die, but we can win a crown that will last, and have something to cast at Jesus’ feet someday and show Him that we love Him.”
Paul was near the end of his life when he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rightouesness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)”
“Today’s race is history, but our spiritual race is still being run. Have you entered the race? Are you sure that you are saved and on your way to Heaven? Are you giving it your best so that you can please the Lord and hear Him say, ‘Well Done’? I want to challenge you to focus on the finish line and give your all for the glory of God.”
The hot dogs and chips of the picnic quickly disappeared among the hungry kids. The noise and cheers of the day were soon over, too. But the lesson about running the race remained in Jace’s thoughts for a long time. “I want to run my race like a winner, so Jesus can be pleased with me.”
