You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
-1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG)

In ancient Greece, every two years the city of Corinth would hold the Isthmian Games. Somewhat similar to our modern Olympic Games, the participants in the Isthmian Games would compete in events like chariot racing and wrestling. This event was very prestigious and athletes would train as far out as a year in advance to be ready for it. They knew that only through steadfast commitment and rigorous training would their bodies be ready for the test.

Paul, the author of the first letter to the people of Corinth, was an incredibly smart man. He knew how big of a deal the Isthmian Games were to the city’s inhabitants. He knew how the people saw the able-bodied athletes on display every two years. He knew that they could relate to and understand the work and discipline that went into being one of these special competitors. And Paul wanted them to know the same thing about the Christian life.

Self-discipline is crucial for Christians, and that is the analogy Paul was trying to make. Just like an athlete must be ready for the games, a Christ-follower must be ready as well. When God calls you to do something, you need to be spiritually up to the task. You don’t want anything to get in the way. As Paul puts it, no “sloppy living”, no getting “caught napping”. Things like lazy attitudes and bad habits are a hindrance to a Christian in the same way that they would be for an athlete – they prevent us from being at our spiritual and physical best.

In all the Rocky movies, the best part of each was undeniably his training sessions. The second those horns from “Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)” come in you just can’t refrain from getting excited. But Rocky had help – he had trainers, encouraging and pushing him along the way. For us to become fit and prepared for spiritual challenges we must have help as well. Help that can only come from the ultimate Trainer, our Creator, our Father.

So… Are you ready?

Cue the music.