Running to Win: Training for Faithfulness

Have you ever felt the sting of disappointment? That moment when something you worked for, hoped for, or counted on fell apart? One of the most devastating disappointments of my life happened during my junior year of high school at the regional track meet.

I had made it to the finals of the 110-meter hurdles. This was the qualifying meet for state—you had to finish in the top three to automatically advance. When the gun went off, I got a great start. I was gliding over hurdles, in rhythm, and began separating from the pack. I pushed harder, leaning in, occasionally clipping hurdles as I drove forward.

I crossed the finish line in second place. I had done it! I qualified for state! All those extra practices, all that training—it had paid off.

But my elation was short-lived. Before they announced the places, word came that another coach had disqualified me. His reason? "Failure to regard the seriousness of the competition" because I had knocked over too many hurdles.

I was devastated. I didn't just lose a race—I lost a future I had pictured. The word "disqualified" has carried a different weight for me ever since.

The Race We're All Running

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul talks about a different kind of race—one that we're all running:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it in order to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Paul isn't talking about earning salvation. He's talking about faithfulness—running in such a way that we finish well. He's encouraging us to avoid the sting of disappointment and disqualification by taking our spiritual training seriously.

Awareness Activates Purpose

Paul begins with a question: "Do you not know?" He's trying to wake us up to something important—we have a God-given purpose. We're runners in a race toward faithfulness.

He doesn't say "jog in the general direction of the finish line" or "just participate however you feel." He says, "Run to obtain the prize." That's strong language! Paul wants us to understand that when we become aware of our purpose—to run like Jesus—it activates something in us.

Our mission should be to reflect Jesus to our friends, family, and coworkers. Everything we say and do should point to Him. That's easy to say but extremely difficult to do. Yet Paul doesn't pull any punches: we should live our lives in a way that reflects Jesus.

Purpose Drives Discipline

When purpose is clear, discipline follows. Paul writes that "every athlete exercises self-control in all things." The word translated as "self-control" is the Greek word "enkrateia"—the same word used for the fruit of the Spirit. It means bringing our desires and feelings into alignment with our goal.

Discipline isn't punishment—it's preparation. Olympic athletes don't restrict their lives because they hate their sport; they do it because they love it so much. In the same way, discipline should be the natural reaction of a life that loves Jesus.

Paul says athletes exercise self-control "in all things"—not just some things or when it's convenient. Their purpose drives their discipline, and that discipline subjugates their desires. Discipline may not win at every step, but by the end of the race, discipline always gets the victory.

Seriousness Requires a Training Plan

Paul uses strong language when he writes, "I discipline my body and keep it under control." The Greek word he uses here—hypopiazo—literally means "to give a black eye" or "to beat into submission." He's not advocating self-harm, but he is describing an intensity that goes beyond casual commitment.

This isn't about fear or panic—it's about passion. Paul is saying, "I will do whatever it takes to follow Jesus. I refuse to let my body, my habits, or my appetites dull the sharp edge of the gospel in my life."

Why is he so serious? Because he refuses to "preach a powerful gospel with a powerless life." There are four written gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—but Jesus left behind one living testimony: us. So many people will form their picture of Jesus by looking at us.

A 40-Day Training Season

As we approach the Lenten season (the 40 days leading up to Easter), I want to invite our whole church into a training plan. Lent isn't about religious points or proving your devotion—it's simply a 40-day training season where we intentionally remove something and/or add something so that our body and spirit are aligned toward Jesus.

Maybe you need to remove something that has too much control in your life—games on your phone, sugar, late-night scrolling. Or perhaps you need to add something—five minutes of intentional prayer each morning, fasting one meal a week, serving in a ministry.

For me, I'm giving up caramel frappuccinos (which, if I'm honest, are pretty close to Jesus in my affections!). I'm also taking the money I would have spent on those drinks and setting it aside for our Easter offering, which supports church planting.

You don't drift into spiritual maturity—you train toward it. Not to earn love, but because you are loved.

Training Like It Matters

Purpose drives discipline. Discipline shapes habits. Habits shape people. And people shape culture.

What if the real gap between what your heart feels and where you're at is nothing but your habits? Our bodies aren't separate from our faith—they participate in it.

As Justin Early writes in his book, "Your sleep affects your patience. Your phone affects your attention. Your attention affects your prayers. And your habits affect your holiness."

We're in this race together. We've been handed the baton. Let's train like it matters—because it does.

Want to join our 40-day Lent Challenge? Text "LENT" to [church number] to sign up for encouragement and accountability as we train together toward Easter.

Meta Description: Discover how to run the race of faith with purpose and discipline. Pastor Charles shares insights from 1 Corinthians 9 on training spiritually for an imperishable prize.

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