Deferring to Discipline

“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. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Cor 9:24-27 (NLT).

The analogy of the athlete is used in the Bible to portray a spiritual truth in a simple way.

The sprints are a highlight of the Summer Olympic Games, dating back to its origins in Greece some 3000 years ago. What is so fascinating about watching powerful athletes compete intensely in a race that only lasts a few seconds? Why the grand celebration of the One who wins the race? The celebration is about more than a win or a medal. It is about all it took to compete (most of which were done unseen – the insane amount of time, discipline, focus, physical pain, perseverance) and, of course, the fortitude to finish the race you actually started months or years ago.

I come from a line of female track athletes: My grandmother, my mother, myself, and now my daughter. We each took on the sport, not because we knew the other had done it, but because we loved it—possibly something in our DNA.

Every time you win a race, you enjoy the fruit of your hard work (the prize), but you’re also in awe that your hard work could produce fruit beyond your expectations. Shortly after, you get back to training, reminding yourself that this is the seed that yields the fruit; you also know that your body actually feels better after you train. If you plan to win, you must also plan to train. The fuel for training is discipline.

Only one person won the race in the spiritual race and got the prize, Jesus. Now He wants us to run our race such that we can share in that prize.

In the spiritual, no other runner can keep you from winning the race; only you can do that. We can get discouraged or attacked, but it is our race; all we need to do is keep running until we reach the end. If we persevere, there are enough prizes to go around. This does not cheapen the value of the prize because the cost remains the same. As a matter of fact, each prize is of inestimable eternal value. The cost for us is the cross we carry as we run this race, following the One who paid the price in full so that we may stand with Him on the podium when we finish our race.

The NIV translation says, ‘Run in such a way as to get the prize.’ That ‘way’ involves three major components.

First, I need to decide to run the race with the goal to win; recognizing my Master Trainer and Co-runner is the Holy Spirit, and the Bible is my training ground for winning this race.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20-24 (ESV).

Second, I need to choose discipline – consistent and often painful training/practice so my body does what it should do rather than what it wants to do, subject to my spirit, which Holy Spirit leads. 1 Corinthians 9:27a (NIV) says, “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave.”.

‘In life, everyone must choose one of two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret” – Jim Rohn

Discipline is not about forcing obedience; it’s about setting yourself up to walk in obedience.

This requires not just knowing the Word mentally, sharing it with others but most importantly, training myself in it spiritually. Lest I find myself disqualified like an athlete who stepped outside their lane, interfered with another athlete’s race or dropped the baton meant to be passed to the next runner.

Third, against all odds, I watch in awe as Holy Spirit develops in me the physical and mental fortitude to finish the race.

A hallmark of a good sporting event is the cheering crowd along the way. In this race, your spiritual cloud of witnesses did not simply come to watch a good sport; they came to cheer you during your weakest points and remind you of the prize that spurs you on to the finish line.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrew 12:1-3 (NIV)

For an eternal prize, are we willing to train (discipline ourselves) for this race? You may not have done it for years, but running is actually in your spiritual DNA.

Holy Spirit, teach us how to be led by the spirit, to fight the good fight, to keep the faith, to press on until we finish our race that we may receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:14; 2 Tim 4:7).

“But the One who endures to the end will be saved.” Matt 24:13 (NIV).

For an eternal prize, are we willing to train (discipline ourselves) for this race? Let us know in the comments box below. Thank you!