The Prize

3:13b-14 forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Very few Olympic runners, as they run their big race, can be found yawning as they go. Even fewer can be found trying to balance their checkbooks. Why? Because they want to win the race, and all their energies are being poured into the pursuit of that goal.

Christians are also in a race. The only difference is that our race is for more than an Olympic medal. Our race is for an eternal prize. It is a prize worthy of far more effort than a cheap little Olympic gold medal. We must not be found yawning.

Awake my soul, stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on,

A heavenly race demands your zeal, and an immortal crown. (Philip Doddridge, 1755)

The immortal crown at the end of the race is what keeps us going. The reason so many Christians have little zeal to run the race is because they don’t understand the value of the prize. If we could only understand the exceedingly great value of this prize we would readily abandon all distractions and pursue the finish line with full vigor. This is why Paul prays in Eph.1:18: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

The man who found a treasure in a field in Matt.13:43, sold all he had with joy in order to purchase the field because he understood the surpassing value of the treasure he was receiving thereby. Like Paul we ought to pray for ourselves and others that God would open our eyes to see the riches of the glory of the prize.

At the end of his life, Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2Tim.4:6-8)

Those who have loved His appearing, those who have longed for the prize, are those who will win it. Those who are content to enjoy the cheap prizes of this earth will miss out on the big prize of heaven.

"He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21)

Good Father, the head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now. As I run the race of faith, give me a heart to seek His prize. Give me an earnestness to win the race. Give me an appetite for eternal glory. Give me strength to push through the weariness, the mocking crowds, the thorns of pain. Help me to remember that soon hope will be changed to glory, faith to sight and prayer to praise. Help me to set aside the cheap plastic prizes of this world. Forgive me for how easily my attention is taken off the goal.