What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (Jas 4:14)

My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.  (Ps 102:11)

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.  (1 John 2:17)

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  (Ps 90:12)

Eight sprinters line up for the Olympics 100 metre race.

It is the race of the Olympics.  The most exciting race.

It will last less than 10 seconds.  To become the fastest man/woman.

But the introduction of the event and the athletes lasts more than 15 minutes.

All eyes are directed at the sprinters.

They only have one race to run.  Their race will be over in 10 seconds.

10 seconds to the gold, silver, or bronze medals.

Life is a sprint in the sense that life is brief.

We only have one race to run.  One race is enough.

We might live up to 80 or 90 years, but the length pales in comparison with a trillion trillion trillion years in heaven.

We will all taste death, but not everyone tastes life.

The sprinter has only one focus – the finish line.

He trains all his energies – mental, emotional, physical – to cross that finish line as quickly as he can.

We are competing with ourselves.

Our competitors are the issues of our carnal nature – pride, jealousy, lust, covetousness, worry, fear, anger, unforgiveness, insecurity, guilt, discouragement.

We overcome them by faith in Jesus.

So, live life with gusto.  It is a gift from God.  Focus all your energies on Jesus.  Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, might, will, strength, breath and everything.  Channel all of you to love, obey, and serve Him.  Outrun your own competitors.  Don’t let them overtake you.

This is what this life is all about.

Life is a sprint.  So sprint well to the finish line.

(MT)