The Superbowl is over. The team I hoped to see take home the Lombardi trophy went down to defeat in overtime. The analysts will dissect the game. In my opinion, the result turned on a missed kick! It cost the 49’rs one point that would most likely have given them the win. If that kick succeeded, San Francisco would be having parades instead of Kansas City. What a game, what effort all around.
In my thoughts this morning I
am asking - “Jerry, what are you working for? What trophy do you hope to claim?
Is it worth the effort?
Is accumulation
of wealth my desire?
What I buy will soon wear out, become obsolete, or lose its luster.
Am I
trying to make a name for myself?
Celebrity
is a BIG deal in America.
But, I remember that line about 'everyone getting their 15 minutes of fame.'
The public's attention span is very short!
Perhaps
it is a life that feels secure?
Nobody
likes living in fear of the future but if ‘being safe’ is our aim, we will miss
much of life’s joy. The fact
is tomorrow is uncertain, end of story.
Because I am a Christian, I
choose to be focused on gaining eternal life, on living today in the light of
God’s ultimate evaluation of my efforts. Paul pointed to the athletes of the
sports arena as an example.
"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." (1 Corinthians 9:25, NIV)
He speaks of the 'crown.' That
was a wreath of laurel that was placed on the head as a ‘crown.’ The effort of
the competitor was rewarded with recognition. But, that crown had an obviously
temporary quality. The leaves soon wilted and eventually crumbled to powder!
Did the athletes really work to win the wreath? Of course not. It was the
recognition that came with wearing that coveted symbol of success. But
even such recognition is short-lived. They knew that another athlete was
already training hard to compete in the games, and that another would be taking
first place in line soon.
Realizing the relatively
short life of wealth, fame, and even security - we choose wisely when we make
our focus an eternal one! "So I run straight to the goal with purpose
in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my
body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that
after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1
Corinthians 9:26-28, NLT)
Our love for others, our giving of ourselves in service, our willingness to serve rather than be served, our choice for excellence in ordinary responsibilities - these all take on a new kind of significance when our goal is to please God. Please do not believe that having a meaningful, God-pleasing life requires being a pastor, a church employee, or working in some line of social service. God needs His people to be making their best efforts in trades, in business, and government. Jesus said we are ‘salt and light’ in the world in which we live. God’s wisdom tells us that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
Whatever we do, if we are
reaching for the eternal prize, must be done in a way that reflects Christ is
Lord of our life. Honor the Lord with your efforts today. As a parent, as a
spouse, as an employee, as a neighbor, as a friend... keep your eyes on the
eternal prize of His approval, a prize that won't wilt, crumble, fade, or be
surpassed by another.
Let’s keep this word from the Word in our thoughts, guided by the promise of eternity! "Because of God’s special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward." (1 Corinthians 3:10-14, NLT)
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus the name above ev'ry other name
Jesus the only one who could ever save
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
We live for You
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett
© 2016 Kaple Music; Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Said And Done Music; sixsteps Music; Thankyou Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Martin, Karl Andrew; Bethel Music Publishing
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