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Compete for the Real Prize

One of the things I enjoyed about being at the State Youth Games was seeing some of the young adults who I used to teach when they were in primary school.  One young man in particular had really gone on with his volleyball and played with great skill.  He certainly spiked the ball better than I ever have!

It was great to cheer along our teams (when I wasn’t umpiring!) as they strove for victory.  I loved hearing some of the team captain’s reports on Sunday night and Jethro’s catchcry of “Points!” after every one – indicating that every team had added points to our total. 

We weren’t playing for sheep stations, but everyone was doing their bit to help the team win the prize – victory in the State Youth Games.  To be honest, I’m not even sure what the winner gets – is there a trophy to keep or do you pass it on to the next year’s winner?  I dunno.

In New Testament times athletes at the four major sporting events in the Greek world used to compete for a crown made of foliage – a wreath.  At the Olympic Games the prize was a wreath made from olive branches.  At the Pythian Games it was a laurel wreath.  At the Nemean the wreath was made from wild celery (yum!), while at the Isthmian Games near Corinth it was a pine wreath.

The Apostle Paul wrote this to Christians in Corinth: “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 Cor. 9:25NIV)

It’s great to strive to win a trophy or a crown made of branches, but how much more should we strive to win a reward that will last forever?

The Bible says that God grants the prize of eternal life with Him to all who believe in Jesus as their Lord (their rightful boss) and Saviour (the one who has taken the punishment for our sin so we can be forgiven by God and accepted into His family).  Not only that, but God will generously reward us for all that we do for Him in this life.

We must choose whether we will strive for temporary pleasures and prizes, or whether we will strive for what lasts forever.

It’s a no-brainer really!

Mike