The Media called last years’ Summer the ‘Summer of Sport’ and with so many different sports to watch, they are quite right. Besides the Commonwealth and European Games, there was Tennis, Cricket, Rowing, Cycling and then Foorball and Rugby going on into the Autumn and Winter. It can be inspiring to see all the hard work, training, skill and determination that the athletes have attained to get faster, stronger, more agile to enable them to shave 0.01 of a second off or to get a couple of millimetres higher or longer.
While the dedication is admirable, interestingly the Bible viewpoint of it is quite different, in fact it turns human thinking upside down! Bodily exercise is needed, but only profits for a short time as no human can keep up the level of fitness for their whole life.
“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little [AV margin, for a little time] but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” 1 Tim 4 v 7 & 8.
The Bible calls on us to run a race which isn’t against anyone else and it doesn’t matter how old, athletic or disabled we are, our goal is the Kingdom of God. This race will take us all our lives, whether short or long, 21 or 101, it really doesn’t matter, it depends on how we behave during our lifetime. Amazingly we can all be winners because it is not a competition to beat others. In our race of life, we actually have more chance of attaining our goal if we stop to help another who is stumbling, maybe help to carry someone else’s burden for a time so they too will finish their race. Crucially, our reward at the end is not a medal, cup, or trophy which will eventually crumble away to dust, instead it will be an incorruptible crown of life which will last forever.
“And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away”. 1 Pet 5v 4
Our appeal to you today is come and join us on the race to the Kingdom.
