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The Race

On August 24th, “Estevan Motor Speedway” is going to put preachers in race cars and let us compete against each other. They are calling it the “Faster pastor” race and I have to say that I am excited about it! I grew up going to stock car races. When I was a kid, one of my dad’s friends built a stock car in our backyard garage. This past May, my brother and I went to Charlotte, North Carolina for the “Coca Cola 600” NASCAR race. I also attend every race in Estevan that I can. The bottom line is that I am really excited about driving a car, being in the race and having some fun.

Racing, however, is more than just fun. It is also a spiritual metaphor. In I Corinthians, the apostle Paul compares our life of faith to racing (albeit a foot race not a stock car race).

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat 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 Cor 9:24-27).

Paul took his faith seriously. He was interested in the outcome of his life. He was concerned that his effort and his life not be wasted. In the end, he wanted to come out with the prize that he desired – eternal life.

Win or lose, “Faster Pastor” is going to be fun. The outcome will not be important (as long as I do not embarrass myself). In the race that Paul refers to, though, the outcome is all-important.

Thankfully, God helps us run our race. He sent his son, Jesus, to take away our sin. He gives us his word and his Spirit to help and guide us. He has given us the church so that we have others to encourage us. All of these things are designed to help us to “run in such a way as to get the prize”.

If you would like some help in your race, please join us. It is always more fun to run together.

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