8. June 2026

THE RACE OF LIFE

The word of God also uses sports imagery to tell us how to run the race of life. Two passages stand out,
(1) 2 Tim 2:5, “And if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize (lit. is not crowned)
unless he competes according to the rules” (NASB), and (2) Heb. 12:1 and 2 – witnesses, lay aside every
weight, and sin that beset us, and “let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (KJV).

In the Olympics, some are disqualified for not following the rules. Some suffered injury and could not
complete their event. Some protested before, while on the podium, and after their event. Many got 4 th
to 8 th or 9 th place, and they are forgotten despite years and years of hard work to get there. Yes, the gold,
silver, and bronze medalists were crowned, and four years later, three others were crowned in the same
event. The crown fades away. Sometimes records are made and then superseded years later. Family,
friends, and their respective nations cheer the victors. The ones who lost are seldom heard of again.
But for us, the children of God, all of us stand on the victory podium based on the victory Christ achieved
for us, now and forever. Our crowns remain, do not fade away. We are forever remembered (not
replaced by another sometime later) and rewarded for eternity. We are cheered at our crowning and
rewarding moment by “an innumerable company of angels, the general assembly and Church of the
firstborn, God who is judge of all, the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the
new covenant . . .” Heb. 12:22-24. Wow, what a gathering, what a forever day of rejoicing!!

But we all must endure the hardship of training in our lives. We must run the race by the rules. Rule
breakers are not permanently disqualified but can repent, though, when needed, we can be disciplined
mercifully by the Lord. We must literally run the race with patience, be it short or long. Yes, in addition
to the crown of life, we will be rewarded according to our works, 1 Cor. 3:12, 14.

More can be said, but let me conclude with three thoughts:
(1) We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, though we are citizens of an earthly country. Let us be His
ambassadors and wear His colors honorably!
(2) We are not crowned by an Olympic official but by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords – what an
honor to look forward to!
(3) My heart was touched by what the Fiji Rugby team did when they won the gold.

Here’s a news report I read. “This was the second Olympic gold for the Fijians in as many years. As they
did last year, they got on their knees, they prayed to God in thanksgiving, and sang a hymn of praise. It
was so beautiful. It's a traditional tune that contains these words: “We have overcome, by the blood of
the lamb, and the word of the Lord, we have overcome.” It was a wonderful moment. It was a wonderful
reminder that whether we win in rugby or anything else, the most certain thing in the world is what
Jesus Christ has done for us, not what we will ever do.”

Let’s boldly, patiently, and with confident hope run the race that God has set before each one of us!
Brother Sajan