Feb. 28, 2015: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. ²⁵Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; ²⁷but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

Key Verses:  v 24-25 

Reflection:

Think of how far we will go in our culture today for a prize or a trophy.  Athletes are disciplined to WIN.  They know their goal and their goal is to win.  In today’s reading, Paul is speaking to Christians in an ancient community called Corinth.  Corinth was the home of the Isthmian Games, a very competitive and prestigious athletic event of the time, second only to the Olympics.  The winners of each event would receive a crown of laurel leaves.  Paul was telling them “don’t get caught up in all this competitive culture stuff.”  Our goal is a crown that is not perishable.  As Christians, we need to know our goal!  Some of us are running toward the wrong end zone!  The true prize that awaits us in our relationship with God through Christ Jesus is the prize of salvation.  Run in such a way that you may win the prize.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: Are you competitive person?  What prizes or trophies do you cherish?

Noon:  Paul reminds us that running aimlessly through life is like “boxing at air.”  Have you done any “air boxing” today?

Evening: Before you go to bed, try to let go of the competitive nature of the day and spend just five minutes clearing your mind of clutter.  Focus on your breathing and breathe in the “Breathe of God” that sustains you.

Prayer:  Holy God, I admit to you that I want to win at life sometimes more than I want to know You.  There are days when I spend too much time trying to accomplish things that are perishable.  Forgive me when I run aimlessly and help me to recognize the prize that I have in my relationship with You.  Amen.