In a few short weeks, the winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea. It’s exciting, isn’t it? The best of the best battling it out for the same goal—to take home the prize of Gold.

In our verse this week, we see our life is likened to a race of purpose. Similar to an athlete in training we experience the struggle of hard work and the challenge of staying focused. We endure the disappointment of illness, injury, and defeat, and we contend with deferred hope and fleeting joy. And our goal is the same—to take home the prize. Only our prize is eternal and will not waste away (Matthew 6;19-21).

Since inception, the Olympic competition has been referred to as “The Games.”  A few things come to mind: competition; comparison; opposition; rivalry; enmity. Hmmm. Is this what Paul the Apostle is referring to in 1 Corinthians 9? More so, is this what God intends for us in this race of life?

Honestly, I think we need to look deeper into the meaning of being an athlete.  We are not in competition with others per say, but in training and straining against the tug of the world, the temptation of the enemy, and the apathy of self to remain steadfast in our race and finish strong.

My tennis coach has a saying when we are faced with a challenging ball. He is keenly aware that it will take every once of energy, speed, focus, and technique we have to get to it. But also, to do something smart with it. He half yells, half encourages us at that moment to…“Be an athlete!”

I love it when he says this. It ignites a fire in me; a spark of confidence that causes me to believe I can overcome the obstacles in front of me by striving beyond the normal to be the best I can be.

You, my friends, have done some serious work over the last few weeks! You’ve been athletes!! Nice job!

In order to maintain momentum and finish strong, our verse dictates that discipline, focus, and endurance are keys to success. And it’s imperative to organize our surroundings and plan our response to temptation.

Don’t be fooled. Triggers will happen to careen you off-course. There will be times when you feel crushed by the weight of the temptation (2 Corinthian 4:8-9). When obedience seems like a joke. When the tug of the craving is demanding you dance until you lose yourself once again. Expect it. Anticipate it. Plan for it.

This is your moment of decision. Make a different choice. Resist. Pick up the tools and the weapons you’ve acquired along the way—Stop. Drop. Pray. Use them. They are fit for the fight.

Keep in mind, this race we are running is a marathon. Pace yourself. Remember what you are trying to change and why you are running in the first place. Is it for freedom? Peace of mind? A better relationship with your children? Better health? A deeper connection to Christ?

Truth be told, our enemy is relentless and seeks to destroy any and all ground we have taken thus far (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t let him. Fight for the work you have accomplished. Stand firm in the strength of the Lord and set your focus on finishing strong.

Like everything in this life, our choices matter. Although we can’t determine the specific course our life will take, or how the winds of adversity will blow, we do have a choice in how we respond. And that will determine how we finish. In the end, maintaining ground is achieved by way of consistent choices.

Each moment of decision is an opportunity. An opportunity to walk toward destiny or walk away from it. The beauty of destiny is that God will find us. He always has His eyes on us—anywhere and everywhere we go. He will seek us out and offer other opportunities for us to get back on track.

Remember our theme: Choose today what you want tomorrow. Let it inspire you to make the harder right decision even when, the easier wrong is more tempting to entertain. Then pick up your tools and use them! Stop. Drop. And Pray.

In all things, finishing strong is a choice.

With this in mind, the most important attribute to finishing strong is not giving up (Hebrews 12:1).  Get back up when you fall. Try again. And then again. Keep your sights set on the prize—on the hope and glory set before you. Let Christ be strong in your moments of weakness.

As we conclude our series on conquering our cravings, we will focus on setting our selves up for success. Mind you, this mindset of finishing strong is useful in any situation, not just our current battle with cravings. Adopt this mindset for life, and you will embrace that for which God took hold of you (Philippians 3:12).

Reflect and Respond:

When temptation comes knocking at your door, stand on the truth of scripture. He gave us a sure promise to always provide a way out in the moment of temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT); “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”.

Set yourself up for success. Organize your surroundings and plan your response to temptation.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed, be and athlete, and finish strong!

Matthew 6:19-21; “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Corinthian 4:8-9; We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

1 Peter 5:8; Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Hebrews 12:1; Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Philippians 3:12; “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”