The world came to ancient Corinth every other year for an athletic extravaganza known as the Isthmian games. Athletes from around the globe descended upon the city to compete in sprints, distance races, discus, wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and even music and poetry reading. This was a really big deal. These games were every bit as important in their culture as the Super Bowl is to ours.
Everyone wanted to win. So the runners endured strict training measures with special diets and rigorous physical workouts. Boxers pounded away at each other to toughen themselves up. They practiced. They put in long hours in the gym. They sacrificed the pleasures of life. All to win the race.
The winners received a crown of honor made out of celery leaves. Special songs were written in their honor. Their statues were sculpted and displayed in prominent places. They received big financial stipends. In was exceedingly good to be an Isthmian Games winner!
In the passage today Paul says that life is like a race. And life is a race we want to win. We want to receive the crown of life at the end of our days. When we die we want Jesus to say "Well done good and faithful servant!"
And if we are to win that race we will need to commit ourselves to rigorous training.
How can we train? Let me make some suggestions:
1. Train by committing to worship every Sunday
2. Train by reading your Bible daily
3. Train by praying every day
4. Train by giving generously
5. Train by listening for God's whispers and saying yes
6. Train by helping anyone who comes your way
7. Train by sharing your faith whenever you get the opportunity
8. Train by committing to a small group
Don't be spiritually flabby. Create a training plan that will produce a well muscled spiritual life.
What is your training plan?
Other passages: 1 Timothy 4.7-8, Titus 2.4-5, 2 Timothy 2.5, 2 Timothy 4.8, James 1.12, 1 Peter 5.4, Revelation 2.10
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