BY THE RULES

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives
the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
1st Cor. 9:24
While in secondary school, we generally looked forward to the inter-
house sports competitions. It was always an avenue for thrill and
excitement. We anticipated what house would take home the trophy
and gave our all in preparation and training to be the best.
In my house, there was a particular guy who was somewhat inept
academically but adept on the field. His height was an advantage to
his being in the junior class and his competing on that level was akin to
a sure win. However, in one of the preliminary races for the big event,
we lost the race because he dropped the baton during the relay
exchange. The rules didn’t care if he was the best guy or not. All teams
had the level ground of the guiding regulations to operate from.
An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere (2nd
Tim. 2:5b - MSG). When the athletes run in a 100M dash, they are
required to do so within the confines of the lanes designated for them.
We are called to different aspects of ministry in the body of Christ. We
are soldiers called to march in our own column; vessels made to
function in our assignment. (Joel 2:8, 1st Cor. 12:11).
If an athlete jumps the gun, the race has to be restarted. The place of
unity in the Body of Christ cannot be overemphasized. Everything
follows an order. We must be sure we are called to do what we are
doing and not merely moving at the dictates we made for ourselves.
God is a respecter of no man and He is still in the business of changing
vessels that prove unstable and out of order. At the end of the event,
the athletes are to show the spirit of sportsmanship and rejoice with
one another regardless of tribe, race or nationality. (Psalm 133:1, 1st
Cor. 14:40)
Some time ago, the gold medal was retrieved from a world record
holder because she confessed of using steroids. You cannot use the
wisdom of the world and expect kingdom results. Whatever God cannot
give you, you honestly don’t need it. God will not give you an
assignment that would make you independent of him.
All athletes know they are the embodiment of the country they
represent. When performing, the rest of the country watching from
home expects them to return with the trophy. If successful, the
president of the country welcomes them in grand style. As
ambassadors of God’s kingdom here on the earth, the cloud of
witnesses are cheering us on to victory. “Welcome, good and faithful
servant” will be the words from our Lord at the end of life’s race to
those who win. (Hebrews 12:1-2, Matt. 25:21, 1st Cor. 4:2,)