~Philippians 3:12-14~

The runner makes his final turn on the track when something very interesting happens. Somehow this athlete, who is now more exhausted than ever, begins running faster than he has at any other time in the race. To those who have ever run such a race, the reason why this phenomenon occurs is no mystery. The explanation is simple: the finish line is now in view. And now that the runner can see the finish line, it is as natural for him to run with heightened intensity as it is for his body to feel exhausted. One thing comes to his disciplined mind at his first glance of the finish line: "I must finish the race strong."

Paul feels the same way. As he runs the Christian race, he has "one thing" on his mind. This one thing is not the past—Paul’s forgotten what’s behind him. This one thing is the future prize that awaits him at the end of his race. For Paul, the finish line is always in view. And since Paul can see it with such clarity, his mind won’t allow his body to do anything but pursue it.

So he strains every muscle and nerve to run each step of the race with maximum intensity. He gives everything he has in him to this race. With every stride he exerts all the energy he can possibly muster. In essence, Paul runs the entire race like he’s on the homestretch.

He’s not pacing himself or saving energy for the end of the race. He’s not conserving his energy to avoid burnout. Living in the now, he strides into the future. Or in the words of Gordon Fee, "Paul’s life finds meaning because he sees the future with such clarity." Paul’s secret to running each step of the race like he’s on the homestretch is simple: keep your eyes on the prize and go after it!

Can you envision the difference it would make in your life if you were to begin putting every ounce of your being into every step of the race? What would the change in your life look like if you would bottle up all the energy you waste on useless pursuits and use this energy to run the Christian race?

I’d suppose the change in your life would look very much like the runner who has made his final turn in the race and is now on the homestretch.