'I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.' Ecclesiastes 9:11

In sport things happen very quickly. Decisions made in the heat of the moment nowadays are played out in the public eye through wide screen televisions and the ‘exclusive’ hungry media machine. Success isn’t measured anymore by wining but by the margin of the win.

Only last week the England cricket team were the laughing stock of the cricketing world as they draw a series they were expected to win, after crashing out of the world cup and being trounced in the ashes 18months ago. Then yesterday they eek out a convincing win against a New Zealand side who were runners up in the world cup and they are hailed as ‘world beaters!’

Similarly, in football Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid after two seasons in charge of the Spanish club. The Italian led Real to victory in the Spanish Cup before claiming the club's 10th European Cup last season. However this season his side finished second in Spain's top flight, two points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, who have reached the Spanish Cup and Champions League finals.

And finally Formula 1 series leader Lewis Hamilton despite qualifying in first place and dominating the Monaco Grand Prix finished 3^rd due to a technical blunder from his team. From his reaction you would have thought the world had ended.

There are numerous lessons, which can be learned here but I am only going to draw one.

It doesn’t matter whether you are first (like the England Cricket team), second (like Real Madrid) or third (like Lewis Hamilton), as the key text reminds us, the race isn’t given to the fastest runner, but he who endures to the end. You are in a race with and for yourself. No one can run it for you. But remember Jesus has already secured the prize, all He asks is that you run.

Bryn sent me this wonderful song by Gold City Quartet “I’m not giving up.” Click on the picture to listen.