Scripture
Don't you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Observation
Paul is compelled by God to preach the gospel. This is not a burden but it is not a choice either. It is a sacred trust, a holy calling.

Although he is a free man he has become a slave of all people in order to preach the gospel. When he is with Jews he lives like a Jew and when he is with Gentiles he lives as a Gentile.

Paul sees himself like an athlete who undergoes strict discipline and training in order to win the prize.

Application
For Paul, preaching the Good News is everything. He lives in such a way that he is able to communicates with all people.

Like an athlete training for the Olympics, Paul puts his passion for the gospel ahead of everything else.

Christianity is not a part of a lifestyle choice. Our commitment to Jesus does not slot into a check list of options for life.

My commitment to God must be whole-hearted and the calling God has on my life must determine all the other choices I make in life.

Prayer
Lord make me more like Paul in the sense of putting you right at the centre of everything. Amen.