Inspire

1 Corinthians 9 24-27 (The Message) 

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 

As we complete our final preparations for Sports Day each year, I am drawn to Paul’s words to the Corinthians. Our children have been training hard for Sports Day, as all good athletes do. Children have been practising their running, their tabloid events and talking through the plan for the day so that they have all of the information they need and are well prepared. As a school, we are also beginning our planning for next year, looking ahead to considerations such as the calendar, class placements and budgeting. Whatever your own circumstances, I am sure you are doing your own preparation of sorts for events that are to come either at the end of this year or into the new year.  

In his writings here, Paul reminds us that the rewards for this preparation and commitment are often fleeting. Our children will be excited to win their races on Sports Day and we will be excited and celebrate with them. This is only a short moment though before the next event, the next race or the next moment of excitement. Paul reminds us here to consider what truly matters, the ‘eternal gold’. If we prepare in these ways for short term rewards, shouldn’t we be preparing for the race that gives a reward that lasts forever?  

Fortunately for us, God has done so much preparation for us already. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the race has been run and won on our behalf! We need only to run towards God to claim his reward and for a reward this valuable, surely we should all run hard and give it everything we’ve got.  

Prayer 

Loving God, thank you for sending your son Jesus to run the race for us, taking our sins and dying in our place, winning for us the ultimate prize of eternity with you. Help us to see you as our loving Father and to come to you with our prayers, worries and joys. We pray a blessing over the St Paul community for our Sports Day on Friday and that your love and care will be reflected throughout the day.  

Amen 

Submitted by Graham Buxton