This is a time, as things wind down for the Christmas holiday, that we begin to take a mental inventory of all of our accomplishments during the year. As I was doing just that today, I read the following scripture aloud to my wife and I saw something I thought was worth sharing with you.
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.
1st Corinthians 9: 24-26
In a race, everyone runs but only one gets the prize—so run to win! That speaks volumes to me; people who win intend to be successful. In other words, everyone lives, but not everyone lives with purpose. Purpose survives failure, disappointment, naysayers, and roadblocks. People with a track record of wins saw themselves crossing the finish line before the race was even run! I remember reading an article by an Olympic runner who said that before every race, he visualized the race over and over again until he had achieved the desired result in his mind. Another interesting article described how runners on the American Olympic team were tested using electrodes to measure how their muscles fired while sitting in a chair visualizing their race. Remarkably, each athlete used his or her muscles precisely the same way as when actually running the race!
I have a little personal diagnostic that I have employed for many years which has made a huge difference in my life. It consists of two questions:
- Why do I do what I do?
- Who do I do it for?
It’s critical to answer honestly because that will help you take the next step. Your answer may be different than mine (which is Jesus), but once you know why you do what you do and who you are doing it for, you can strategically adjust your purpose and start “winning” even before you run the race. Just remember that when you run, always run to win.
Remember, too, that when we run a race, there are spectators—wives, husbands, children, relatives, coworkers, and strangers—who are watching every move. So how we run is a big deal!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
I am believing that you will finish strong this year with renewed purpose, heading into 2016 with a clear, focused plan that will empower you to run to win…
Be Whole,
Michael S. Tyrrell
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