Metaphors with a Message – Part 2

My struggle with a solid night of rest seems to continue. However, I went to my therapy appointment at Northern Colorado Rehab and my therapists were pleased with the signs of progress that they observed compared to my last visit. So it seems regardless of how I feel on a day to day basis, I am making improvements overall and that is encouraging.

I stayed for lunch at the hospital and they had one of my favorite items on the menu today; so it was a good day. This afternoon I got some work done in my home office and took a nap before Debbie got home. Debbie’s sister Sue stopped by and brought a Christmas stocking for the dog and some “pizzelle” cookies which are some of my favorite.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules…”                   2 Timothy 2:5

As Paul writes his final letter to Timothy, he admonishes him to be diligent in his duties, to be strong in the Lord’s grace and to train faithful men. He uses three metaphors: a solider,  an athlete and a  farmer. Yesterday I  made some observations about the soldier, today we turn our attention to the athlete.

I’m not sure if they had any “team” sports in Paul’s days unless they were gladiators fighting in the arena. Paul, with the individual athlete in mind, points out that the crown is not earned, unless he competes according to the rules. In our day we have been made aware of athletes who either disqualified or disgraced themselves by not following the “rules.”

This is an area that speaks to the character of the individual. Competition is something that we see throughout human history in some form or another. But when it comes to organized events there are rules in place to guard the integrity of the games and ensure the opportunity for the best performer to be the winner.

Paul wrote the Romans and said, “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” Romans 5:3,4

Peter admonished believers being tested in their faith, [to] “…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful…” 2 Peter 1:5-8

The discipline of training, the discipline of following the rules and the discipline of the competition is great. But in the end when victory comes, it is worth the effort and sacrifice. Paul in writing to the Corinthians addresses this issue when he says, “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 to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable….” 1 Corinthians 9:24,25

No matter how high the prize, the trophy, in this life; the glory of it will fad in time. But we have the opportunity to be part of a celebration and a “coronation” that will last for eternity.

“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.”  Revelation 3:11,12

The “race” of faithful service and trust is one in which there is more than one winner. In God’s kingdom all can be declared triumphant!