What is waiting for Christians who believe?
For those who believe, an eternity is waiting. Unlike the corruptible crown of leaves runners sought in Paul’s day, believers run for an incorruptible crown. This present life—even seventy years—is nothing in the light of that eternity, so we maintain balance in our Christian experience.
Les explains that in Paul’s day runners in a foot race did not receive a gold or silver medal but a wreath made of plant leaves. By the time they returned home, it had withered—corruptible and dead. But believers do not work for something like that; they run to obtain an incorruptible. Les also notes the need for balance in the Christian experience, just as runners prepared for a race without extremes. If people could glimpse the eternity waiting for those who believe, they would see that even seventy years is nothing in the light of eternity.