Sports have
the potential to produce such incredible swings in emotions when seeming
victory turns into defeat or vice versa. Sometimes this happens because one
team makes an incredible, unlikely play, snatching victory from the jaws of
defeat.
But
sometimes, these pendulum swings of fate occur because, unfortunately, a team
or player is determined to have broken the rules, and as such, what was
initially thought to be a victory is nullified.
A
heartbreaking example of this took place at the 2012 Olympics when, during the
4x100m relay, the Canadian team thought they had secured a bronze medal. But
sadly, one of the athletes stepped on the inner-lane line while running the
curve, and the team was disqualified. The athletes’ pain was so evident as they
sat on the track in tears – devastated.
It was so
sad to think of the agony that they would feel for such a long time as a result
of this. Yet, despite the hurt that the athletes and an entire nation would
feel, the officials had no choice but to adjudicate as they did because
attaining rewards is linked to adherence to the rules.
In 2
Timothy 2, the Apostle Paul echoed a similar sentiment in his letter to his
mentee, Timothy. He said to him in verse five,
“And if a
man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully.”
He wanted
Timothy and us to understand that while the gift of eternal life is based on
our faith in Jesus Christ, the eternal rewards we will receive from running the
Christian race are directly linked to how we run. Furthermore, they will only
be acquired if we adhere to God’s laws and commands rather than doing things
our own way.
As such,
let’s endeavor to:
1. Read and
study God’s Word so that we know what He wants us to do and how He wants us to
do it.
2. Be
willing to function in accordance with His Word, and
3. Strive
with consistency and determination so that we finish well.
Be assured that, like an athlete on the podium receiving that coveted medal, the rewards of striving lawfully and striving to the end will be worth it all!