We rarely, if ever, give 100%.
We instead exercise selective-effort on a daily basis.
We carefully choose when and where we are really going to try, and follow through only when conditions are just so. When we don’t think we can win, we opt out or only give partial effort for fear that our best might be exposed as less than. So we elect not to risk it. To keep it in the barn so when we lose, we can protect our fragile egos.
However, what if we failed to realize the stakes? What if the potential gain more than warranted the risk? And what if our desire not to be uncomfortable resulted in devastating consequences?
There are things worth our full unbridled effort, yet sadly stamped next to our names in most instances is '“DNC - did not compete.”
“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.”
Too often we approach life (and even more so faith) as not even runners, but spectators. We fail to recognize that regardless of our acceptance of it, we are involved and should therefore strive accordingly. We are willing to pray for people, but when opportunities to act are opened, we simply admire them vice involving ourselves.
There is a race of eternal consequence persistently taking place. A race whose seriousness suddenly comes into focus in times of tragedy. A race we cannot afford to sit out of.
Paul’s message is for us to not only involve ourselves, but to do so in a decisive way. In a way intent on success, not just participation. It is time for us to truly apply ourselves to that which matters most.