“Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV.

Christ is duly exalted in your life when you seek to excel in all you do.

My thoughts and comments today are about “excelling.”

Today’s popular culture espouses an egocentric philosophy that, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” The intention itself is not wrong. You were created with an inner sense of destiny to achieve and succeed, but your reason for doing so and the means of accomplishing that may unknowingly misdirect your course in life. People may buy into a wrong philosophy without considering the price paid, compromises made, or the disregard of loss to others.

But the spirit of Kingdom culture is higher and purer. The character and currency of every Kingdom accomplishment are these: clear objectives, right focus, pure motives, sure directions, and best efforts. Paul often used athletic analogies to describe aspects of our spiritual journey. See 2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes on the games 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. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly . .” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV.

Let nothing or no one distract you from your singular goal of winning the eternal prize. Read Philippians 3:10-14 NKJV. Mediocrity is not an option. You will truly excel when your perspiration exceeds your inspiration to do so. In Paul’s analogy, he contrasts the casual contestant with the serious competitor who has trained diligently and prepared to give their best effort to compete successfully.  Paul also contrasts those who will train, sacrifice, and expend every effort merely for a temporal achievement and reward, unlike those whose training regimen and personal sacrifice are with the sole purpose of achieving Christ’s reward, eternal and incomparable. “I have fought a good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV.

Christ is duly exalted in your life when you seek to excel in all you do. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV. Listen to Paul’s prayer, “I pray, that your love may abound more and more and extend to its fullest development . . so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and best, and distinguishing the moral differences].” Philippians 1:9-10 AMP. Life deserves your best because God deserves your best – because on the cross, He gave you His best. Half efforts are unworthy.

An application of Paul’s words – “Run in such a way as to get the prize” – could be this simple; what you do in your pursuit of God’s service should be done with every intention to succeed, sparing no effort to fully achieve God’s will for your life. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 NIV. My Dad’s reminder to me was, “Allen, good enough is not good enough.” Your best effort and the Spirit’s empowering and blessing are always good enough.

My prayer for you today is that you will expect God’s best and give Him yours.