As a progressive Christian, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Did you know that Nike in Greek translates to English as the word victory or success!
This summer, the world will come together at the Olympics and cheer on their favorite athlete or team as they compete for the gold medal.
All of us like to see our team win, but few fully understand the price that these athletes had to pay to get there. Years and years of rigorous training and discipline … literally, blood, sweat and tears. Without the proper training and discipline, victory will always be out of reach. We also need training and discipline in our spiritual life to help us in running our race well.
The Isthmian games, the equivalent of our Olympics, were held every two years, ten miles outside the city of Corinth. Like the Olympics, these games brought people from every part of the Mediterranean to compete or just watch. It was the biggest sporting event of the year, drawing the best talent.
Athletes would compete in foot races, broad jumping, discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and equestrian contests. They competed to win, striving for the Isthmian crown – a wreath of wild celery.
Winners would receive a lifetime exemption from paying taxes and serving in the military. They would also receive free tuition at their favorite university. A statue of themselves would be erected along the main road that led to the site of the games. But the real prize was the celery wreath, awarded to the winner at a grand ceremony at the end of the games.
Let’s look at some keys to running your race well.
First, proceed; get going! In order to run the race, we must first begin. We have to participate. Like the Nike slogan, “Just do it!” You can’t run the race if you’re not running. To win the race requires that we get in the race. Winning starts when the daring to begin starts.
Someone once said, “We cannot expect God to say ‘Well done’ if we will not first ‘Well do.’”
2) Pursue; keep moving
The race isn’t over until we cross the finish line. If we want to win the prize it will take determination and effort and discipline and we must pursue excellence to get there.
We can’t win from settling to watch from the sidelines, we must be involved. This takes will and a willingness on our part to take action, change our attitude when needed, keeping a positive attitude and a willingness to keep moving, even when we feel like giving up.
The value of the prize was not monetary, but symbolic. The Apostle Paul also wrote in Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” When we run our race, whatever it may be, let’s put on our faith and Nike gear, and strive for the prize.
3) Prepare; get ready
An athlete, who wants to win, goes into strict training. This takes tremendous effort; it’s not easy. The bottom line is, if we want to win, we have to prepare and go into training – to get fit and stay fit. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We also need spiritual workouts, time in prayer, in study and time in worship. In the Greek games, only one receives the prize, but for us, the prize is available to all who run the race.
Philippians 3:13 says, “… forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
4) Perceive; or get focused
We run to receive a crown that will last forever. So, when a runner begins, they focus on the finish line. Their eyes are already there. When I cross the finish line, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I keep that in mind.
You’ve heard me use the phrase before, “Some people can be so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” It’s not about living our lives with a pie in the sky mentality, but living fully in each moment, discovering our gifts, using our gifts, being a positive influence, making a positive difference, living a balanced life.
5) Purpose; get energized
Whatever we choose to participate in or whatever goals we choose to make, let’s not just go through the motions. Set a goal, aim for the finish line.
Sometimes we focus more on the task than the outcome. We can get so bogged down, looking down at all the obstacles.
I like this true story of someone who approached a laborer who was laying bricks and asked him, “What are you doing?”
The laborer said, “Can’t you see, I’m laying bricks?”
This person then walked over to another bricklayer and asked, “What are you doing?” And this laborer answered with pride, “I’m building a cathedral.”
Both were physically doing the same thing, but the first one was occupied with just the mundane task and the other was focused on the ultimate goal. If we forget the outcome of our task, we will become bogged down in what we are doing and be tempted to give up.
6) Produce; get fruitful
How cool is it that when we run, we might inspire others to run with us and then they’ll get excited and see the positive benefits and bring yet others with them. Remember Forrest Gump and his running? “Run Forrest, Run!”
7) Persist; never quit
We all need encouragement along the way: that cup of cold water, that pat on the back that kick in the seat! 80 percent of success is just showing up. When we show up, God will work miracles.
