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As we prepare for the year 2025, we must remember that we are running a spiritual race.
The apostle Paul often uses the analogy of a runner in a race throughout his letters, emphasizing perseverance, focus, and purpose. As we enter a new year, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean run this race faithfully in today’s world?
Running the race of life well is a quest for faith, purpose, and closeness to God. It is a journey where the goal is not marked by worldly praise or achievements but by the faithfulness with which we have lived for Christ. When we run for a gold medal in this race, we cannot settle for mediocrity as followers of Jesus.
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However, the apostle Paul points out that our “opponents” are not fellow Christians. Our competition is between the things of this world, the desires of the flesh, and the distractions of the devil.
The world offers many shortcuts, false promises, and temporary pleasures that seem attractive at the moment but ultimately hold us back in our pursuit of God. To run the race well, we must continually evaluate what influences us and whether it is leading us toward the prize or away from it.
It is easy to become distracted or discouraged by life’s challenges; We can often feel as if we are going through a multitude of obstacles with no end in sight. That is why it is essential to recognize the subtle ways in which we can distract ourselves in order to redirect our mind. When we focus on glorifying God in everything we do, the race becomes meaningful, regardless of our difficulties and setbacks.
One of the biggest obstacles to running the race of life well is our tendency to look back. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul says, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press toward the goal to obtain the prize to which God has called me from heaven in Christ Jesus.”
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Our past mistakes, regrets, and shame often become weights that prevent us from running freely. Instead, we are called to focus on the present and the future: what God has in store for us and how we can move forward in His grace.
So how has your career been in 2024? Have you strayed off course or are you racing for gold?
Remember that it’s not about how fast you run but how faithful you are with each step.
The moment you believed in Jesus Christ.This race began for you. Some of you are just starting out, while others have been around for quite some time.
My son Christopher has already finished his race and his father is still racing! As I get older, I think more than ever about completing this race.
Remember that it’s not about how fast you run but how faithful you are with each step.
Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife Cathe. (Harvest Church/Pastor Greg Laurie)
I know some who have not finished their course with joy (see Acts 20:24). I also know others who seemed strong in faith but who “crashed and burned” in the race of life. They veered off course or, in some cases, even self-destructed.
We also see this in the Bible.
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King Saul was tall, handsome, charismatic, and anointed by God to be king. By prophesying with the prophets, he had incredible potential.
But because Saul repeatedly disobeyed God and allowed pride (and eventually paranoia and jealousy) to consume him, this led to a series of sins, causing God to ultimately reject him.
The race started well but the end was a disaster: he didn’t keep his faith.
Or consider the mighty Samson, supernaturally blessed with superhuman strength and able to defeat his enemies with relative ease.
But, like all people, Samson had his vulnerabilities. A series of commitments occurred in his life and he did not end his career well either.
Paul, however, wanted to be in the company of those who “finished their course with joy,” joining the ranks of those who ended up in God’s winner’s circle. Men like Caleb, whose incredible story is found in Joshua 14. Or Daniel, who would not make concessions, even at 80 years old.
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Let us commit to finishing what we have started, remembering this: the race of life is not a fast race but a long-distance race.
Run well this new year and every year that follows. Maintain a heavenly mindset with every mile you pass, remembering that the gold we pursue is not for earthly gain but for eternal glory.
