A Chinese national won a half-marathon seemingly only because, if one were to observe the video, the three Africans behind him let him win. One reasoned it was because the Chinese was his friend.

Stories about letting others win or making others co-winners seem almost as regular as reading about who won. I don't know about you but if I ended up second or third place, I will not accept sharing first place because I do not deserve it. I did not meet the standards. I find it patronizing as well. Unlike in today’s schools where everyone gets a medal, I do not need a win for a category made up just to make me feel good. It was my losses and rejections that made me strive harder. If I had co-won all the essay contests I joined when I was in school, I don’t think I would be the kind of writer---and writing teacher--- I am today.

But did you know there is a race where every finisher gets a prize? Not a patronizing co-sharing prize but one that s/he deserves because the Organizer/Judge/Referee says so. All the runners have to do is to finish the race faithfully.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day. Yes, he will give it to me and to everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8, ETR)

How do we know if we have served or are serving the Lord faithfully? It is when we are doing with what God wants us to do of which making disciples of all nations is primary. Of course, it doesn’t mean we all must become pastors and missionaries; but we live out the purpose of pastors and missionaries which is to share the gospel, praying that all who hear the sound of our voice and see our lives come to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The apostle Paul was at the end of his life when he wrote his letter to Timothy. He was confident that he was a faithful servant of the Lord. Thousands of years after his death, we know this to be true.

When we die, how will people remember us? "S/he was funny; s/he was a good manager; s/he was a genius?” If that’s how we think we would be eulogized, then we need to change our race training. Every faithful servant of the Lord must strive to have people remember them as, “S/he loved God above all.” That is how we remember Paul. We don’t marvel how he was a scholar or a great debater; we marvel at his faithfulness in the midst of all his sufferings and trials. He kept the faith and has received his prize---the same prize we will receive when we imitate the greatest apostle (1 Cor. 11:1) who only lived for Christ and Christ alone.