I was really surprised when I learned that very few marathon runners are paid well for what they do. In fact, only a handful of the world’s elite really make a career out of running and the majority are not compensated at all and basically go unheralded. So why on earth would anyone want to put themselves through such an ordeal? Marathon runners run for the immense feeling of accomplishment that it brings and for the buzz of completing the longest race in the world. My friends tell me, "Chris, you have no idea how it feels when I finish the race!" (And she’s right...I don’t and do not imagine that I ever will.) Completing such a demanding course brings an incredibly euphoric, satisfying feeling.

The great thing about running the race of the Christian life is that not only do we receive a similar sense of personal achievement, but that our life has eternal significance. We run for a prize because God has promised to reward our efforts. Paul says, "Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown" (1 Corinthians 9:25). In other words, professional athletes compete for a physical medal which in the end will tarnish, but Christians run for an imperishable, eternal reward from God. This is why it’s important to remember that our run is worth the effort.

Earthly prizes are not the goal (Jesus is).

The crown that we win is eternal.

When we are motivated by a passion for eternity, our race is worth the effort.