Run To Win!

1 Cor. 9:24-27 - While all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable. I do not run like a man who loses sight of the finish line. I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. What I do is discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I my should be rejected.

Thoughts: A large majority of Christians go through life never getting into the race. The race is the one to win our salvation. We are literally in the race of our lives. If we win, life. If we lose, death. St. Paul in the reading above encourages us to engage in our faith like our lives depend on it. And it does!

I play golf, kind of. I generally play about once or twice a year. I never go to the driving range. So, it is no surprise that my game is pretty awful. Anyone who would observe my playing would easily see that. On the rare occasion that I might make it out to practice I would see some improvement. That would fade pretty quickly. No one is surprised, then, that I not very good at golf.

Why would we think that our spiritual life should be somehow different? I sometimes hear people lamenting that their spiritual life is going no where. Are they partaking of the sacraments frequently? Do they spend time in the Word? Do they go to adoration? Do their prayers go beyond, "Bless us, O Lord and these thy gifts"? Should they really wonder why their spiritual life is stagnant?

I was stuck is that exact same place for a long time. When I finally decided to get into the race and start denying myself, things started to change. The Holy Spirit will speak to us and let us know what we need to deny in our lives. The television was one for me. After trying to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit for over a year, I finally got rid of cable. This is when the race took off. I am now running so as to win. My hope, my goal is to be able to spend an eternity with God in heaven. 

Deny yourself, pick up your cross and run the race to win an imperishable crown.