Chasing the Prize

Let me give you a trip down memory lane. You're an 8 yr-old again. Footsteps pad across the steamy pavement, but the heat doesn't bother you because you've got a destination. You open the double doors of the building to feel a blast of chilled air. The smell of old and new paper fills your nostrils. Your lips curve up instantly. You're in one of your favourite places. The rows and rows of books cause a tingle inside. Not only can you spend everyday of summer break at the public library if you want, but it's time for Summer Reading program.

Yay! The promise of prizes and stickers for your hard-earned hours of reading.

(Man, if only there was such fun to be had as an adult.)

For anyone who has no idea what the Summer Reading program is, stand-by. (First of all, what are you doing on my blog if you aren't a reader? Second of all, welcome and enjoy learning something new.) So the deal is, you read books, summarize them to the librarian on duty and receive prizes. You can also receive grand prizes at the end of the program by submitting tickets with your name on them into a receptacle to be drawn from.

My son decided to throw all his tickets into one receptacle that had the prize he desired most. I was thinking about this and realized that he has optimized his chances of getting that beloved prize.

I have never done that. I always scattered my tickets around to any of the prizes that I desired.

My son has done exactly what Christ calls us to do regarding being with Him, eternal life and heaven. We are meant to live as though nothing else matters.

I Corinthians 9:24

"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."

Look at these other verses describing setting everything aside for the greater reward.

Matthew 13:44-46

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

This life is hard and it's easy to forget that we have much to look forward to when we're finally with Jesus.

However, let this Scripture encourage you. We don't run this race alone or even for the first time. There are many who have gone before us, including the King of Kings.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Keep your eyes on the prize. Stick all your tickets into one bin.

The kingdom of heaven is worth it. Our souls are worth it.