The apostle Paul counsels us to live our lives in such a way that in everything we do, at any time and in any place, we should reflect our most serious intent: to obtain an “eternal crown.”
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
— 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NIV)
By living this way, people who watch us will recognize the seriousness of our cause and the high level of commitment we have for it.
As a result, they will not question whether we would settle for anything less than the intended aim, purpose, target or goal that we set for our lives, or that God sets for us (see Jeremiah 29:11).
As I reflected on 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, the question that came to me was,
“Should we call Compassion an outcome-driven organization, or do you think we are more of an aim- or purpose-driven organization?”
What are your thoughts? Are outcome-driven, aim-driven and purpose-driven really the same thing?
If not, how would you differentiate them from one another? Which best reflects the 1 Corinthians passage?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bambang Budijanto serves as Compassion’s Regional Vice President for Asia.