Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (ESV)
The Isthmian Games were an athletic contest similar to the Olympics that were held in Corinth. An athlete planning to compete in the games would have to dedicate themselves to training and then competing. If they didn’t, they stood no chance of winning and might not even be allowed to compete.
What was their reward for winning a contest in the games? A floral wreath to wear on their heads. A reward that would endure for only a short time and then would be gone.
Paul drew from this imagery to illustrate his own commitment to the proclamation of the gospel. As an athlete would train rigorously and not allow anything to interfere with either his training or competing, so Paul single-mindedly pursued the goal God had set before him.
An Eternal Reward
But there was a difference in the reward that awaited at the end of the contest. The athlete competed to have a few leaves wrapped around their head. Paul competed for an imperishable reward. Paul is not concerned here as to what that reward might be. What is significant is that it is eternal. The short time of dedication in this life is as nothing compared to what awaits.
This attitude that Paul exhibited in his service to the Lord is one that all of us should share. All too often, we seem to wander aimlessly as believers in this life, distracted by many things, and with no sense of urgency toward our calling.
What difference would it make in our lives if, instead of drifting through life, we were disciplined in living holy and godly lives serving our Lord, striving for that imperishable wreath? What difference would it make in the church we serve? And what difference would it make in our families, our workplace, and the world around us?
