To Win!

The Annual Conference of the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the Global Methodist Church begins this coming Sunday.  Last year's Annual Conference was inspiring, focused, worthwhile, and worthy of my time.  In the former denomination, I can't think of one Annual Conference I could make that statement about.  I am excited to be part of this annual gathering of clergy, laity, and friends!  The theme of this year's conference is, Run To Win.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul says ... "Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one wins the prize."  Paul was obviously far from modern society and participation trophys.  But Paul's advice here is sound ... if you plan to enter the race, strive to win the race!

A few weeks ago I got the chance to go out on my kayak.  I love bay fishing, including all of the beauty, the required planning, the skills, the observation techniques, and the work of making a fishing trip happen.  On this particular trip, I was pulling back to the bank after catching 8 large redfish (sadly you can only keep one, and only if it is within the 'slot-limit').  There was a guy at the landing who said, "I like your kayak ... and you are pretty serious, aren't you?"  I said, "Yes, but why do you ask?"  He responded, "You seem ready for pretty much anything!  You have 6 rod/reel combos, live bait, artificial lures, a cooler bag for the fish, and 8 rod holders!"  I said, "When I spend the time to get things ready, get the kayak to the bay, buy bait, check the rigging on the rod/reel combos, and get here at 6am, I am playing to win!"

Winning is pretty well-defined when you are fishing ... 1) catching fish, 2) not doing something to hurt myself, 3) not getting caught by the game warden, and 4) having some very fresh fish to eat.  But in the 1 Corinthians passage, what is winning?

Paul defines winning, in 1 Corinthians 9, as several things:

1. Paul relishes the idea that God has chosen him, appointed him as an apostle, and allowed him to preach the Gospel.  For Paul, his work in God's word and with God's Spirit, is a great prize!

2. Paul considers it a blessing to become a servant to all people (v. 9:19) so that they (both Jews and Gentiles) can be brought to Christ!  For Paul, he wins when God's kingdom is built one person at a time!

3. Paul is not pressing toward a trophy that will melt away.  Paul is seeking an eternal prize (v 9:25), that will last forever.

All of the above is summed up in what Paul says in v. 9:23.  "I do everything to spread the Good News and share its blessings.  Remember Genesis 12:2?  "I (God) will make your name great, and you are to be a blessing."  And, also Genesis 22:18, "You have obeyed me, and so you and your descendants will be a blessing to all nations on earth."

We are those "chosen, called, people."  We are those whose prize is to bless others by spreading the Gospel.  Wesley said Methodists were to "spread Scriptural Holiness throughout the land."  Let's play to win!