By Josie R.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in a such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
I chose this verse because, as a cross country runner, I could really understand and relate to it. A runner has to train very hard for a race; they have to be more than ready for it. When the race comes, they have to use what they learned in training during the race. When I run and get tired, I persevere and keep pushing myself, because I know that at the end there will be a reward. Maybe the reward is a prize, or maybe it’s just water.
So how does this all relate to my relationship with my life as a follower of Jesus? Running the race is your daily life. There will be times when it’s hard but you have to keep pushing and trust in the Lord your God. Even though it will be painful at times, just know that in the end you will get a prize greater than all earthly treasures that will not fade nor perish, but a prize that will last forever.
My response to winning the prize of eternal life is working hard to run the best race I truly can, and running the race in the way that God the Father wants me to run it. As Christians, we have a lot of ways that we can train and become stronger with the Lord. Here are a few: prayer, church family, and his Word. I’ve used all of these helpful gifts the Lord has given, but here’s an example of how prayer helps me in my daily life. Often, I have a lot of anxiety during my band tests at school and I can get really anxious and nervous. So, I will pray about the test and it always helps ease my nerves. That is an example of how the Lord helps me persevere in this race that we run.
I believe that because of Jesus we have a prize at the end of the race. Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, I know that this prize will be eternal life with him.
My confirmation verse, like the image I chose, challenges me to run in such a way that will win the prize and keep focused on what’s really important. The prize isn’t something earthly, but it’s Jesus and his love for us.
I believe the promise of Jesus.
