A Soldier's Run
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Throughout the nine weeks I spent in Basic Training, my Drill Sergeant only said one thing that truly motivated me. He shared it just prior to our final APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test). We were told, "When you run, leave everything behind, take nothing off the field." I'm not just saying this to make a point; I honestly believe I would not have passed my final run if it were not for that statement. "Take nothing off the field." Those words not only raced through my mind throughout the entire run, but they continue to race through my mind today. To 'take nothing off the field' is to entirely deplete yourself of all physical and emotional resources for the sole purpose of achieving your goal. We were constantly being told during our runs that if we had enough energy to say "I can't go any farther" then we had not pushed ourselves far enough. The point being that we obviously had something in reserves if we were able to speak at all. I now believe this was the most important lesson we learned from Basic Training. Yes, we needed to learn marksmanship, and yes, we needed to learn all the other important elements that prepare us and distinguish us as soldiers. However, if we never learned to not give up, and if we never learned to keep pushing forward until there was nothing left within us; then all the other training would serve no purpose. Real soldiers run on fumes, and heroes run on empty, because those that run with reserves run to their own demise. The bottom line is the field belongs to those who are willing to spend it all. My Drill Sergeant wanted us to run in such a way, he wanted us to spend it all, and to take nothing off the field when we crossed that finish line. As soldiers, this is how we need to train, this is how we need to fight, and this is how we need to live. We find a similar lesson in Paul's letter to the Corinthian believers. He said, "
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)." Paul knew what it meant to run on empty, and he took nothing off the field. Instead, he poured himself out like a drink offering (2 Timothy 4:6) for the sake of the gospel and for the hope that he might share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:23). In spite of hardship and persecution, Paul fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith; to which he said, "
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8)." Life is full of trials, and at times being a Christian only adds to the heat. We might be hard pressed, lied to, cheated, mocked, persecuted, hated, disowned, avoided and slandered. However, Peter assures us, "
These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7)." Yes, we might suffer now, but only for a while; endure the hardships like good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). The crown is in reach; leave everything behind, pour yourselves out, and
TAKE NOTHING OFF THE FIELD.
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Copyright © 2005
Michael D'Urbano
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