Yes, there is a race where you compete against nobody and one where you compete with others. And the rewards of winning are so different, depending on which race we choose to participate.
The spiritual race we enroll ourselves into when we become Christians is one in which we compete against no one. However, we have many mentors and friends encouraging and cheering us on so that we finish well. That’s the advantage of having a community of believers working for our benefit.
However,
there is another race – the rat race – into which many in the
world get sucked. Its participants compete against one another to see who has more trinkets and toys, things which spell comfort,
prestige and status. And believers are not spared as their mindset often gets shaped
by the world’s values.
Let’s now
consider the first type of race more closely.
Paul likens the
believer’s life to a race. To be more specific, he depicts our spiritual race to
be more like a marathon, rather than a sprint. As such, he disciplines himself so that he can finish well:
“Everyone who
competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that
will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I
do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating
the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my
slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
In Hebrews
12:1-3, the believer’s life is once again likened to a race:
“Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart.”
Here we are
told to lay aside any weights, hindrances and sins and focus on Jesus who is
our perfect example. And if we are tempted to give up midway in the race, we
should consider Jesus who had to endure so much suffering before He could attain
victory.
What about
the other type of race?
Those who put
God aside in their lives to join the rat race will be sadly disappointed
at the end of life’s journey. They will realise then that their life-long
entrenched philosophy – “he who dies with the most toys wins” – is absolute folly.
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but
righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11:4).
Like the rich
man who broke down his barns to build bigger barns (Luke 12:16-21), they will
have to face God’s judgment:
“The ground
of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What
shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he
said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones,
and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have
plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be
merry.”’
“But God said
to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then
who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how
it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward
God.”
Let’s finish
by reflecting on the life of Moses:
“By faith
Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake
of Christ as of greater value than the treasures
of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt,
not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he
saw him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:24-27).
Moses could
have remained as the prince of Egypt with all the attendant riches and
pleasures befitting his high office. But he chose to be identified with the
poor and oppressed believers. Later, he led them out of Egypt, hearkening to the
call of an invisible God.
Which race will we choose to run in? Will
we go for the one with enduring or transient rewards?
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