When was the last time you asked yourself, “Why do I do this? And what were you thinking about when you asked yourself that question?”

This past week, I went running in the rain. And it was really quiet! I ran for about three km before I saw another jogger. Yes, there were some grumpy dog-owners out there, with their dogs on leash, “Come on dog!” 

As you go through the fall season, running in the rain, and then into winter, running in the snow, you ask yourself, especially on those dark, cold, wet days, “Why do I do this?”

In Spring, during the month of May, it’s a completely different experience. It’s sunny. 20C. New runners “come out of the woodwork” with new running shoes, new t-shirts, new shorts. They bounce along proclaiming, “Here I am world, ready to run!”

By early summer, the numbers start to dwindle. You have to know why you do it!

At the end of chapter 9, Paul focuses on his goal. He draws on the metaphors of running and boxing to spur his readers on toward faithfulness. What is the goal? What is the prize?

1. Run to Win (vs. 24, 26)
2. Run for the Imperishable Crown (vs. 25b)
3. Run with Disciplined Rigour (vs 25a, 27)