EMPTY THE TANK

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

We recently celebrated the Winter Olympics. It’s truly amazing to watch the participants compete in what they have been training for, for many years.

Larry recently shared a thought he had with me regarding people who are competing in a race or some type of physical challenge like those we watched in the Olympics. When they near the end of the race or competition they don’t slow down, ease up, give up or become lazy.

They’re so close to the prize that they push harder and give it everything they’ve got those last few moments before they hit the finish line.

They “empty the tank” so to speak. This term is used when an athlete gives it a hard push, expending 100% of their physical and mental energy during those last few moments of the race. This requires strategy and a huge amount of strength and focus. Their arms and legs feel like rubber but they push hard towards that finish line to obtain a prize!

What a great example of our Christian race that Paul is referring to here in 1 Corinthians. We’re all running a race towards the prize; better than any prize you can obtain in a race here on earth; hearing our Savior say “well done, my good and faithful servant!”

All my life I have been hearing people say we are in the last days. And I believe they were speaking truth but now we are closer than ever to those last days; to seeing the finish line and obtaining the prize! Jesus is going to crack that sky and take His people (those who believe in Him and live for Him) home to be with Him for eternity! This isn’t the time to get lazy, ease up or give up! But unfortunately, week after week I see believers that aren’t taking the race seriously.

We need to press in to share our story with others, press in spending time with our Savior and His Word, press in and get to church to worship with other believers, press in and do the work of the ministry such as laying hands on the sick and bringing freedom to those who are bound, press in with our prayer life for a lost and dying world.



You’re to run in a way you win! Paul encourages us to not growing weary in doing good but press harder, run stronger; empty your tank! And in his farewell to the church at Ephesus, Paul said, "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy” (Acts 20:24).

Are you finishing strong or are you slowing down and getting lazy? How we finish matters!

Declaration to Life:” Give me strength to “empty my tank” for you Lord during these last days! I will finish my race giving it everything I’ve got and I will finish with joy unspeakable and full of glory!”