Finish The Race

Like many other activities in life, athletic competition requires dedication and the ability to keep the goal in mind. Athletics and sporting events go back to the ancient Greeks, so it is not surprising that Paul might draw illustrations and analogies from athletic competition. In Philippians 3:12-21 we have one of Paul’s most vivid images of the runner and the need to keep focused on the end of the race.

The famous explorer and missionary, David Livingstone, is reported to have once said, “I will go anywhere, provided it is forward!” From what we know of Paul, he had a similar attitude. From the moment that he became a follower of Christ, Paul never looked back. He always moved forward, and neither hardship, persecution, nor even imprisonment could prevent Paul from continually moving toward his goal to win the prize for which God had called him.

~ Jeff