[:en]The Race of Life

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Whenever I have read this verse I've struggled with Paul's statement of "strike a blow to my body." Some translations say, "beat my body and make it my slave." It doesn't sound too nice or comforting to me.

Then I think about my own life and the times I've played sports, exercised, or competed in races. It doesn't always feel nice. The training often doesn't feel nice. I often have to push myself and force myself to exercise even when I don't want to. I'm sure that Olympic athletes wake up and feel the same things we do sometimes when we're trying to get motivated to exercise - no motivation at all!

Then something is supposed to happen - We are supposed to remember the goal. We are supposed to remember the prize. We are supposed to remember Jesus - "who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning it's shame" (Hebrews) and we need to set our eye on Him, "the author and perfector of our faith."

Then I think - if I can be disciplined and work hard in these things like sports, school, work, I can also do the same in my faith - and the prize is so much better than things this world can offer. Are you running in such a way as to not be disqualified, but to get the prize? Is part of my "running" telling others about Jesus and showing the world His love like Paul mentioned he was doing - "preaching to others"?

Pastor Steve
[:id](tidak ada terjemahan bahasa indonesia)

The Race of Life

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Whenever I have read this verse I've struggled with Paul's statement of "strike a blow to my body." Some translations say, "beat my body and make it my slave." It doesn't sound too nice or comforting to me.

Then I think about my own life and the times I've played sports, exercised, or competed in races. It doesn't always feel nice. The training often doesn't feel nice. I often have to push myself and force myself to exercise even when I don't want to. I'm sure that Olympic athletes wake up and feel the same things we do sometimes when we're trying to get motivated to exercise - no motivation at all!

Then something is supposed to happen - We are supposed to remember the goal. We are supposed to remember the prize. We are supposed to remember Jesus - "who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning it's shame" (Hebrews) and we need to set our eye on Him, "the author and perfector of our faith."

Then I think - if I can be disciplined and work hard in these things like sports, school, work, I can also do the same in my faith - and the prize is so much better than things this world can offer. Are you running in such a way as to not be disqualified, but to get the prize? Is part of my "running" telling others about Jesus and showing the world His love like Paul mentioned he was doing - "preaching to others"?

Pastor Steve
[:]