Bicycle Race

Bicycle race. This past weekend there was a bicycle race that took place along most of the back roads of our little North Carolina county. There were hundreds of riders dressed in their team jerseys racing across the countryside. We had an appointment Saturday morning and didn’t realize the race was taking place, so we got caught behind all of these racers as we were trying to make our way there. We had to drive real slow behind large groups of riders until there was a safe area to pass them using the opposite lane. As you can imagine, it took us a lot longer to get to our destination than originally planned.

It was an extreme test of patience as we drove only 5 miles per hour at times waiting to get around them. There were differently colored signs all along the roadsides showing different routes that the riders were to take to complete the race. We weren’t sure if the different colors represented different laps or if they represented different courses for certain groups. The race took place over two days: Saturday and Sunday. I’m not sure who ended up winning the race but I’m sure someone is celebrating this evening for finishing first.

It got me thinking about what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. All of those bicyclists left off Saturday morning with the hopes of winning the race, but by Sunday only one of them realized that dream. I’m sure whoever won received some sort of prize, whether it was a trophy or some other prize.

Years from now that trophy or prize will become dusty and and old, no longer having the luster it had when they received it today. We have an eternal prize waiting for us, as Christians, one day in heaven; one that will never lose its luster. “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.” - Matthew 6:19-21.

When our days on this earth are coming to an end, can we say what the Apostle Paul said told his protege Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”- 2 Timothy 4:7-8?

Have a great day and God bless.