On the heels of the Olympics with all the gold medals comes the World Cup competition for a trophy — our world is focused on athletes!
As Henry Blackaby described it, athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than anyone else. They strive to bring their bodies and minds completely under control so that they exceed and receive a prize.
The rest of us go home to relax, but he points out that athletes continue to train. They push themselves to the limits of their endurance. They pay any price for excellence. We have seen this repeatedly in the competitive “games” of all the physical sports we enjoy watching. (And some who read this may be the participants and know this first-hand.)
But Paul said that despite their most valiant efforts, the athletes’ successes and prizes are eventually forgotten. See 1 Corinthians 9:25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away.
I reflect on my high school sports fanaticism. I LOVED playing competitive girls basketball and we did very well for a small West Texas town. And I can extol many virtues and skills it taught me. But I also recognize I was a 110% type of player – I gave it all I had, and more – and I learned so much in the process – certainly that self-control and discipline part. Plus the pay-off on the court of the hours of practice was gratifying and motivating as well. OK, I can brag – my highest scoring game netted over 40 points.
But I must admit the full truth of what Blackaby is pointing out. He said “Even the greatest athletic achievements have not affected eternity.” Yes, the ‘prizes’ are eventually forgotten and live on only in my personal scrapbook and memory.
And Paul focuses on the point, which we can certainly hone in on today, that if an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for a perishable reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an imperishable one?
As Blackaby adds, if an athlete will labor day after day in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought Christians to work for the “well done” of their Master? Take a look at the questions he volleys our way – do these give you pause?
Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God?
Are you training your mind to think the thoughts of God rather than thoughts of the world?
Are you disciplining your life in prayer?
When others are sleeping, are you interceding?
Have you studied God’s Word so diligently that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face?
Have you equipped yourself in evangelism so that you are ready to share your faith?
Have you prepared yourself as a Christian in order to qualify for the imperishable crown that awaits you?
Ouch! And double ouch! That really hits home with me. It is truly enlightening to put working for the glory of God into that “sports” realm – but the ultimate goal is the one I want to hoist up on the mantle to keep it in my sight: the words of my Savior that I so desire to hear as I exit this world — “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
It is for that trophy I want to give my 110% effort!
May we keep our sights focused on that imperishable crown!
