Charles posted on February 26, 2010 08:03
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
For the past couple weeks, most of us have probably watched at least some portions of the Olympics from Vancouver. We’ve seen not only the competition but probably heard some personal stories of interest about the athletes as well.
Some of those personal stories include the rigorous training the athletes went through in preparing for the games, while other stories may include personal things the athletes have had to overcome or put behind them in order to reach their goal.
The focus is always forward – toward preparing for what is out in front of the athlete. Things an athlete has overcome in the past must remain in the past - a serious injury, a horrific fall, previous losses, even the loss of her mother for one of the skaters. Eyes must be forward and on the goal, the prize.
Paul mentions this strict training and focus and then adds, “They do it to get a crown that will not last!” While the medals today’s athletes win are more lasting than the laurel wreaths of Paul’s time, they still are not permanent. Their goal, the prize they win, is only temporary.
St. Paul encourages us to train, to not look back, to stretch toward what is ahead, to press on toward the goal, to win “the prize for which God has called (us) heavenward in Christ Jesus.”