Television programming is overrun with reality shows with various themes. I enjoy watching The Amazing Race. It involves teams of at least two people in assorted relationships working together through obstacles of time tables, strange cultures and unfamiliar countries with varied challenges to get to a predetermined destination first. The last team to arrive faces elimination. The race doesn't play gender, age, or strength favorites in how it can be won.
There are many legs of the race to complete before there is any respite of struggle. Everything is a test of endurance, cooperation, and chance. Strange places and customs become part of the challenge. It is a test of character and the strength of relationship. There must be resolve and stamina to finish. The teams must take advantage of rest periods.
Particulars of the show include: teamwork, roadblocks, clues, physical and mental challenges, fast forwards, eliminations, travel documents, rewards, etc. The winner's prize is a million dollars.
God has designed a race that has more than a million dollar prize as a final goal. We are teamed with the Holy Spirit. He will assure us of a successful completion because He is our guide.
The preacher puts it like this: Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”
If we value what lies at the end of our life then we must know why we were created and the purpose for which we have been called. Paul states it like this, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” (Acts 20:23-25)
Interference like roadblocks crop up unexpectedly and totally distract us from the final prize. “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:6-8)
Our ultimate goal is like the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
The Christian race is challenging and filled with many obstacles that are unfamiliar to us. We may have never faced them before. But our success is guaranteed if we follow our teammate’s guidance. The Holy Spirit will not fail us; we will never be left alone although we can act alone. The experiences of the race will enhance our testimony to others.
In our terms we feel like it is a fight or an exhausting race that has challenge after challenge. We mist focus on the prize set before us knowing it will be worth it all. Truly we are in an amazing race to an amazing place.
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