1 Corinthians 9:26 - Gold Medal in Tail-Chasing

Our first dog wasn't especially smart, but she had one particular talent. She could catch her tail in her mouth and then walk around the house that way, proud of her great accomplishment. It could get tricky! We have a saloon-style door leading into the kitchen, and she'd continue walking, ducking under the swinging door while holding on to her tail the whole time.

Our second dog had a cropped tail. End of discussion.

Our third dog has a long tail, and he likes to chase it, but can never seem to catch it. At least not for very long. But of the three dogs, which is the "winner?"

We use the expression, "I've been chasing my tail all day," but what if you actually "caught your tail?" It's fruitless; that's the point of the idiom! Yet how many of us continue to chase after things that--in the end--are meaningless?

Paul compares the Christian life to Olympic events and says,
"I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air." (1 Corinthians 9:26, English Standard Version)

God, Interrupt our running in circles. Stop us when we start shadow-boxing through the day. Energize us in running to "the end of the race [to] receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Amen (Philippians 3:14, New Living Translation)