Striving for Mastery

Call to Prayer

Title: Striving for Mastery

By: Simon Maina Nuhu

Date: 13.10.2023 

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may  
obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

To be a master in what one does is part of the ultimate route to perfection. Mastery in one’s field of  endeavor commands flawless end products as a result of painstaking commitment and passionate devotion. The athletes and other sportsmen engage in strenuous and excruciating training that prepare them for the hard competition ahead. They do that with enthusiasm because they well are aware of the goal and glory which compensate the pains of the rigorous practices. The honor that comes with being a champion in whatever competition is dignifying and therefore is worth all the efforts put into the eventual success. 

Similarly, in the Kingdom of God we are like athletes in a stern purposeful pathway to eternal glory. The rewards are far more than the earthly. Even though there are quite a lot of challenges that come our way; persecution, pleasure of the flesh, battling the world and struggling with our adversary the Devil. Nevertheless, we are expected to focus on the heavenly glory that rots not nor perish. Apostle Paul was exhorting the Corinthian Church and likewise we the contemporary chosen children of God that we should not lose focus on the race as we will obtain an incorruptible reward (crown) for running the race so well. In a Marathon race, everybody participates in the initial stage but only few or one emerges champion.

Following God comes with ultimate conditions to be met!; they could be uncomfortable and expose us to harsh criticism which we ought to accommodate with tolerance for the eventual prize is eternal. We are to strive as the Kingdom of God suffers violence and only the violent take it by force. In like manner, Ecclesiastes 9:10, highlights the importance of doing whatever our hand finds to do that we should do it with all our might for there is no work, knowledge or wisdom in the grave.
 

Prayer point: 
Let’s thank God for the word today. Let’s also ask him to give us more courage and endurance to run our race so well.