The Second Half: Finishing Strong In The Race
Seven months of 2024 are already gone! Let’s thank God for His help along the way. Things haven’t always been easy, but He’s been there for us.
Just like runners plan for the tough second half of a race, it’s time for us to think about the next few months in our faith journey. The second half of a race is all about keeping going strong. Runners adjust their speed, focus on their form, and push themselves to keep going.
The next few months are like our own challenging second lap. It’s a good time to think about our goals in following God and make any adjustments we need. We can run this race together, following God’s lead.
With churches engaging in 40 days of Prayer for Singapore, it is like a special pit stop for our faith. It’s a chance to recharge and remember why we are running this race. Let’s use this time to make sure we finish strong in the second half of 2024!
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Apostle Paul exemplifies the qualities of a champion runner in his faith. He reminds us about:
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Running with Purpose, Not Aimlessly
Champions in any race have a clear finish line. Our faith journey is no different. It’s not enough just to start strong. Every believer, regardless of age, background, or experience, strives to finish the race well. We need a clear purpose, just like athletes who train and strategize to win.
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Focusing on the Eternal Prize
Unlike earthly competitions, our race is for an eternal reward. This prize should fuel our focus and determination. It changes the way we approach every challenge. Remember, it’s not about temporary victories but about running in a way that secures the ultimate prize – eternal life with God.
Rick Warren writes:
“When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently.
“You will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.
“When you live in the light of eternity, your values change. You use your time and money more wisely. You place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn’t matter as much anymore.”
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Disciplined and Focused Training
Running with purpose (v. 24), exercising self-control (v. 25), not being aimless (v. 26) and avoiding disqualification (v. 27) all reinforce the need for discipline and focused training.
Recently a youth from the Taman Jurong community who participated in our JCC badminton games on weekdays shared his experience training in Indonesia to hone his skills.
The training was rigorous, including running through the jungle at night. Interestingly, during on-court training, he lost to a 12-year-old female player. This raises a question: How much dedicated training did this young girl put in to reach a level where she could surpass a well-respected player from our local scene?
This anecdote highlights the importance of not just effort, but also strategic training. While intense physical conditioning plays a role, mastering techniques and developing a well-rounded game plan are equally important for success.
Like the young badminton player’s dedication, our faith journey needs more than just showing up.
Following Apostle Paul’s example as well, we must strategically train our faith. This means going beyond mere participation and engaging in focused activities like prayer, study, and fellowship. Let’s examine our approach and commit to intentional training, just like athletes, to truly excel in our walk with God.
A Challenge and A Call
In Philippians 3, Paul throws down a powerful challenge. His aim isn’t earthly success, but a profound understanding of Jesus and the transformative power of resurrection (vv. 10-11). Eternal life with Christ is the prize he relentlessly pursues (v. 14).
Far from claiming victory, Paul acknowledges he hasn’t yet reached the finish line. But like a runner with eyes fixed on the goal, he keeps pushing forward, leaving the past behind and straining towards his objective (vv. 13-14).
This is our call as well! Let’s join Paul in this pursuit, keeping our gaze firmly set on the incredible future God promises in Christ Jesus (v. 14). Undeterred by distractions, let’s press on with unwavering focus.
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