Running to Win

NEHEMIAH WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL

Are you running your race with the discipline required to obtain an imperishable crown?
Do you view life’s hurdles as opportunities to develop Christlike fruit and perseverance?
Is your leadership focused on finishing faithfully and equipping the next generation to win?

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NKJV) 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. And everyone who competes for the prize  is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we  for an imperishable crown.

Running to Win

The Apostle Paul encourages us to run the Christian race – that is, live the Christian life – in such a way that we “win” it. 

What does this mean? It does not mean “finish first” – it is not a sprint. It means finish well, not first, by running with quality, that is, with Christlikeness. Jesus said we will be known by our fruits (Matthew 7:20), and the Christian life is individually designed by God for each of us so that there will be plenty of opportunities for spiritual fruits to develop along the way.

During the race, we will encounter “hurdles”, some of which we will clear, and others of which will bruise our shins!

When – not if – we fall, one of the characteristics of running to win is that we know that we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and just keep going until we eventually reach the finish line.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. – Proverbs 24:16

If this race is not a sprint, does that mean it is a marathon? We are called to run our race so well that we not only win, but also position the next generation to win too. Our race is a Divine relay, designed not only for us, but also for those who follow us. 

I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. – Psalm 45:17 (also Psalm 71:18; Psalm 145:4; Joel 1:3; Isaiah 59:21)

Here are three things to remember as you run life’s journey:

1. Believers run with discipline, aiming for eternal reward, not shallow results. (1 Corinthians 9:25)
2. God measures victory by perseverance, not failure-free performance. (Proverbs 24:16)
3. True leadership finishes faithfully and equips the next generation to run. (Psalm 71:18)

As you run the race that God has set before you, think about not only your own legacy, but also the generational legacy that you can leave for all those who have been entrusted to your care. 

The reason that there are Christians today is that the first Christians ran their race to perfection, and when they were done, they successfully released the baton to the next generation. 

The true measure of your leadership in this generation is the legacy that you will leave for the next generation. 

This is how you run to win.

Let’s Pray. Lord, help me run my race with discipline and Christlikeness. When I fall, grant me the strength to get up and keep going. May my life leave a godly legacy, successfully passing the baton of faith so that the next generation may also run to win. Amen.

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