Run Your Own Race

Daily Devotional – Thursday, September 14, 2023
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)

While on a preaching mission during my university days, I had the privilege of dining in the house of a marathon runner. While I love athletics and, I am a keen follower of the great marathoners of my country, I had never heard of my host, but he taught me why I should run my own race.

I Press Toward the Goal

I started doubting my knowledge of the sport when my host invited me to take a look at his medals. I was surprised and impressed to realize that he had run in most of the major city marathons around the world.

Why, then, was he not famous? This athlete had never attained the first three positions in a race. He had never graced a podium. However, because he would feature in the top ten positions, it had earned him a tidy amount of money.

Reaching for the Prize

As we chatted, he revealed that his philosophy was to finish races and get his reward. All he cared for was to finish in a position that guaranteed him money. He knew he could not compete with younger athletes to finish in the top three positions. He was not among the elite, but he always did his best.

I believe Paul operated with a similar philosophy. He told Timothy, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14).

Focus on Your Mission

Paul is like my athlete-host. He knows his limitations, but this does not stop him from pressing on towards the mark. In spite of his imperfections, Paul is determined to reach the finish line and receive the prize of eternal life from the Lord Jesus Christ.

As long as the apostle keeps pressing, however slow he is, victory is assured. It does not matter how others are running their races. What matters is that he finishes the race. He buries the past and presses on every day. Every mile of spiritual victory he covers brings him closer to the prize.

Run Your Own Race

Run your own race. By the grace of God, compete and win against your weaknesses. Study the word of God faithfully and pray without ceasing. Beware of Satan’s attempt to distract and derail you. Focus on finishing the course and winning the prize. It is about God and you, not about other people.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I will run my own race by Your grace. I am pressing on the upward way.