Run to Win (A Bear Story)

I am reminded of a story I once heard…

Two friends were hiking through the woods when they happened upon a bear. Hoping they had not been noticed, there hopes were quickly dashed when the bear, still a ways off, began to charge them. Panic seized them, and one began to run as fast as he could away from the rampaging bear. The other, who was several yards behind his friend, quickly sat down, ripped off his hiking boots, and began strapping on his sneakers, which were in his backpack.

As the first friend passed the second, he screamed, “What in the world are you doing? You can’t outrun that bear!”

“No,” came the reply. “But I can outrun YOU!!!”

In Hebrews 12, Paul implores us to “run with endurance the race set before us”.

In 1 Corinthians 9, he tells us to “run in such a way as to obtain [the prize]”.

Sometimes we feel like we’re running to something, and sometimes if feels like we are running from something. However the race looks to you, God wants you to run it to receive the prize. As the saying goes, “Be in it to win it!” He who called you will also equip you (Phil. 1:6). Whatever race He has called you to run, He has made a way for you to come out on top. Just trust in His goodness and His strength, and run to win.

You can do it! That’s a promise from Him (Phil. 4:13).