After having completed the work of rebuilding the walls of the city, the Israelites relaxed. No, they didn't. In fact, once their work was complete, they did what every child of God should do. They worshiped by confessing their sin and making a fresh vow to serve God resolutely. And that vow included the promise to honor God by taking care of what belonged to Him beginning with the house of God.

I doubt many of us will argue that taking care of God's stuff is important, but I wonder if we have the same conviction toward our bodies, that also belong to God? In the past God placed a lot of emphasis of where his people went to worship, but in these days, He places more emphasis on what we do with our bodies and where we go, as we are the temple of the Holy Spirit; we are His prized possession.

In Corinthians 19:24, Paul compared our life to a race that everyone runs, but only one can win. I admit, this thought has not been a strong focus in my Christian walk. After all, when Paul said he was finishing his race in 2 Timothy, one can interpret the race as life running its course to the time we die. But Paul is not speaking of our physical existence in this verse. Instead, he is speaking of competition within the body of Christ.

Today is the first day of the Olympics being played out in Greece. Every four years we watch as athletes compete for the prize of winning a gold, silver or gold metal. There is no better example of Paul's race than this, as more than likely he was referring to these games "games" when he wrote his letter to the Corinthian believers.

You might be wondering how can a competitive race can be compared to a Christian living for the Lord? Before competing in a race comes training and practice, practice, practice. How do we practice? By perfecting your walk and talk. That is, preparing where you will go, what you will say and how you will finish. Peter said we should prepare to give an answer to every man an answer for the hope that lies in us. Paul said we should do what it takes to become the best we can be and out "perform" every other believer.

Today is Sunday. Where are today and what are you doing today to prepare to become the best you can be? Are you worshiping with God's people and praying throughout the day? Are you adding Scripture to your arsenal by memorizing and using it? Are you exercising your spiritual gift by using it to "perfect" the body of Christ?

If you're not doing these things, how can you claim to be ready? In fact, how can you even say you're in the race, when you're actually sitting among the spectators in the stands while you watch others race for the prize?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Nh. 9:22-10:39 1 Co. 9:20-10:14 Ps. 34:1-10 Pr. 21:13 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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