Everyone likes to win, I sure do. In fact I have such a desire to win that if I can’t win something, I don’t do it.

I actually have a hard time playing games of chance because it bothers me that I can’t figure out a way to maximize the chances of winning. It drives me crazy.

I probably need to see a counselor about that but I think there’s a point to winning.

Look what Paul said about it…

1 Corinthians 9:24-27New Living Translation (NLT)

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

What does it take to win according to what Paul is saying here?

1. Run to win
   1. Paul says that not everyone is in it to win it. Some are just in it to finish. He says the prize comes to those who run to win. What are your wins? Are they attainable? Are they quantifiable?
2. Discipline
   1. He mentions discipline twice in this passage and training once. What that sounds like to me is that its doing to take some work. To win spiritually, you need spiritual disciplines (Bible, prayer, journaling, etc). To win physically, you need physical disciplines (healthy eating, exercise, rest, etc). To win as a leader, you need leadership disciplines (reading, problem solving, strategy, delegation, etc.) Every area of life requires disciplines to succeed in it.
3. Purpose
   1. Why are you doing what you are doing? What are your motives? Let that fuel your desire to cross the finish line. Christ needs to be the center of our purpose or we are running the wrong race. Make sure your purpose is God-breathed and God-ordained.