A Race Everyone Wins

I have fought the 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 me only but also to also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4: 7-8 NKJV

There has been a issue the past few years that has become one of the hot button issues of the conservative movement in the United States.  For generations in youth sports, the victors, the champions, were crowned with some sort of trophy to signify their endurance and victory.  However, somewhere along the line, a few well intentioned adults came up with the idea that this practice of recognizing achievement in sports may actually be harmful to a childs psychological makeup?  My very first reaction upon hearing of this new policy was one of utter disbelief.  Here was yet another liberal, feel good thought instituted into policy.  However, in recent years I've taken a look at this issue from another perspective.  Not that I now agree with the liberal thought police that are systematicaly destroying the moral fabric of our nation, but the new perspective I've gained was one I discovered in scripture.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Hiimself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 NKJV

There are a few places in scripture where the apostle Paul describes  our journey as followers of Christ as a race of endurance.  The one difference in this race we are on is that each of us who finishes comes out a winner!  I can see the point that the old apostle was trying to make here, as anyone who has lived long enough has come to realize that their lives are more of a journey of endurance than a quick sprint.  For we are told in scripture that we all will face the trials and temptations of life.  As we journey on, our lives began to resemble more of a journey of endurance.  With each obstacle of tribulation we overcome, we seem to gain that much more endurance to face the next.  Not only that, but those who cheer us on our journey are those who have gone on before us.  This "Great a cloud of witnesses" that Paul describes in Hebrews 12:1 are none other than those who have finished this very same race before us!  Far from being a race where only one person comes out ahead, each of us who partakes in this race and finishes will not receive a medal or a trophy, but the blessed crown of righteousness that was not only bestowed upon the apostle Paul, but to all who have run with endurance the race of life that was set before them.

~Scott~