Run the Race

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

One of the movies I remember seeing as a kid was, "Ben-Hur," starring Charleton Heston. The movie followed the life of a man by the name of Judah Ben-Hur during the days of Jesus. Out of jealousy, a former friend accused “Ben” of a crime he didn't commit, and managed to have him sentenced to a life of slavery, and his family sent to prison. After many years of twists and turns, “Ben” found himself in a chariot race competing against his same former friend—the very man responsible for ruining his life, and his family’s life as well. The former friend was determined to do anything to hurt or kill “Ben” in the race. But “Ben,” now a follower of the new Rabbi from Nazareth, was determined not to give in to revenge but simply run the race.

Fast forward about 30 years. I was at a conference, and a speaker used the story of Ben-Hur in the closing devotion. It was a short, but powerful devotion. In closing he said, "You and I, as Christ followers, approach life very differently from the people of this world. Keep that in mind as you watch this.” Then he played a scene from the movie. 

There they were: Ben-Hur and his former friend in that race scene. The jealous competitor knocked one rival after another out of the race, using every lethal trick at his disposal. Then he bore down on “Ben.” But his obsession was his undoing, and in the end, he lost the race and his life. “Ben,” of course, finished the race victoriously.

You and I have entrusted ourselves to Christ. We are Christ followers, and we are in a race to the finish. The race may be difficult. It may be painful and hard. But we know that in the end, we win the race. And that really is all we need to know!

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8