The Imperishable Crown is the one spoken of in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 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.
This crown is won by racing, and the way we train affects the way we run. Training is not fun, but neither is being disqualified or losing a race. In so many ways the Holy Spirit is our trainer.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. (Eph. 4:30 Message)
All things are lawful, but not all things contribute to godliness and a well-run race. God knows what it will take. He knows when we need to speed up or slow down. He knows whom we should train with and whom we need to stay away from. We are the ones who benefit when we follow his instructions. We are not competing for the perishable; we are racing toward eternity.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19–21)
When your heart is in heaven, you will find your way there. As we have already explored, this treasure is carried in your heart and its guardian is love. We live in a world pregnant with words, ideas, books, thoughts, social connections, beauty, creativity, and wisdom. So much of it is wonderful. But there is a dangerous pull from this world that would try to weigh you down so you cannot run your race. We are warned:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17) These are the things that bind and tether us by their attachment to the ways of earth. The passions of the world break down into three categories:
1.) The desires of the flesh, or wanting your own way.
2.) The desires of the eyes, or wanting everything you see.
3.) The pride of life, or wanting to appear important.
Each of us will wrestle with at least one of these rivals if not all three at different stages in or lives. There are countless ways these can play out in your life, and each of these driving desires can look different in our changing seasons. When we were first married and without children, I was very selfish. I think it would be fair to say I wanted my own way and I wanted a lot of what I saw. Thankfully, we didn’t have the money to support my bad behavior, but that didn’t mean I didn’t see things and want them anyway. Then I had three kids in five years, and all I wanted was a nap. As for wanting to appear important, as I get older I am more than content to limit my importance to family, friends and the handful of daughters who have come my way.
NEXT UP: Never before in the history of humans have we has such intimate access to people with whom we have no relationship. When people have a hard time connecting with the people they can see (their friends and families), it is not surprising that connecting with a God they cannot see would pose a challenge.
Pages 236-238. Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Chaos, Confusion & Comparison. Lisa Bevere. Revell 2016