Running for the Prize

My dad and his prize after a marathon.

We just had a 5K at TASOK, The American School of Kinshasa and I am excited about exercising.  So here is an attempt at a blog:
I grew up with a dad who got into running when he was about 40 years old.  He didn't just get into running, he ran marathons!  As a result of his running I began challenging myself to be able to run 1 mile.  This progressed to a point of running farther.  With a high school friend I began a tradition of running 5 miles every Thanksgiving.  Then in college, after gaining the Freshman 5 I started running 5 miles every Saturday.  Of course these exercise routines went up and down over the years.  But running has been a part of my life off and on since High School.  Never a team sport person, I find running to be a great exercise for me because I can challenge myself.

My friend Marilyn and I after we ran a 10K down Boulivard 30 Juin

As a result of this recreational running I also have found scripture parallels.  The Apostle Paul liked to relate the Christian Life to running.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 shares "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." (NASB)  Paul was extremely diligent in his training.  Whether he was actually doing the physical exercise is a question but the fact that he took his spiritual exercise seriously is very clear.  I want to be like that!  Paul never gave up.  Even in a last letter that he wrote he once again referred to life's race.  In his last recorded letter to Timothy he writes: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB)

Austin and I ran "Run for Congo Women" the last of his senior year

About 2008 I joined a Boot Camp exercise group in Kinshasa.  I had thought I was just going to start losing shape as I got older, but I started working out with this group and discovered I could get in better shape than ever.  As a result I was able to make a new tradition with a friend and for about three years we ran a 10K just before School Summer Break down Boulevard 30 Juin in Kinshasa.
The last couple of years I have been dealing with some re-occurring pain.  So I am having to slow down my running and I am learning what fast pace walking is.  I am a little jealous of those people who get out there and run hard and I wish I could join them.  But I have decided that for now my pace is walking until these joint problems get better.  So even though I am told half way through the run that people have already come in to the finish line, I am going to rejoice that I have not given up.  Yes, I "run" for the prize but not the prize that is given today.  I run for the prize for my life.

The last three years running at TASOK

Reading Paul's words there is a much more important prize I need to aim for.  That is the prize that God has for us.  James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  There are trials that come and go and I am under a couple today.  God has challenged me to persevere.  I would rather crawl into my room but that isn't what God calls us too.  So I write to you and encourage you to "throw off every encumbrance" and "set our eyes on the prize before us".   
When the Bible speaks of the prize and the crown of life I envision the Greek Olympic winners with their Laurel Wreaths crowning their heads.  God has that kind of prize for us in heaven.  Are we persevering under trial?  Are we seeking to pray continuously through those trials?  Are we seeking to be Jesus to those who don't know Him around us?