Running is Good, but Running the Right Direction is Better!

Throughout the Bible, we find athletic references and illustrations used to drive home teaching points. Running is one of the sports mentioned in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 it states, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." In Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." We're told not only to run; but run with the intention of winning.

On October 22, 2017, Eyob Faniel, won the Venice Marathon after the 7 lead runners followed a motorcycle and veered off the course. Yes, they were running; but they ran the wrong direction! By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late. The runners corrected their course, but they were too far behind and could not catch the Italian runner. Eyob Faniel's win was the first time an Italian man had won the Venice Marathon since 1995. What an epic failure for the leaders, but what a reward for the persistent endurance of the man who stayed the course.

As I watched the news reports and read the stories on the Internet, the spiritual significance of this event was glaring! Believers are in a spiritual race, and we must stay the course! Real victory only comes when we run to win... and run in the right direction! The Bible charts our course and the Holy Spirit guides our steps, but it is the responsibility of each individual believer to follow in obedience. It's not enough to just finish the course; we must run to win the race! The starting line is BROAD and lined with many, many runners; but the finish line NARROWS the field and the runners usually cross single-file. Many start the race, fewer cross the finish line; but only one wins the race!

What a spiritual application! Broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life; but few there will be that find it. So, as you run your spiritual journey, keep your eyes on the prize and stay on the right path. It should be every believer's goal to say with the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Keep your eyes on Christ and you'll be heading in the right direction!