Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published February 15, 2012 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
What is your goal in life?
July 27, 2012. Does this date have any significance for you? It might, if it’s your birthday, the start of your summer vacation, or possibly an anniversary. But for most, it’s just another day…unless you are an Olympic athlete. This summer date marks the beginning of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. For four years and more, athletes have been dedicating hours upon hours to work and train to compete on an international scale with one goal: winning a gold medal.
As far back as 776BC (www.olympic.org) athletes have gone into strict training to gain the top prize. Today it’s a gold medal. For ancient Greek athletes it was a sacred olive tree wreath placed on their head in the vestibule of the temple of Zeus. The effort was immense, however the losers were many and the glory of the victor often short-lived.
While we admire the discipline and dedication of an Olympic athlete, the Apostle Paul encourages the same dedication, discipline and determination in pursuing a life with the Lord Jesus. Life can easily become consumed with the temporary and transient. Perhaps today is an opportunity to ask, “What am I doing today to spend time and energy pursuing the one thing that will last forever, a close and growing relationship with Jesus Christ?”
Paul “beat his body” and made it his slave to proclaim Jesus to others and to grow in his personal walk with Jesus. What do I have to say “No!” to in order to have time each day to spend reading the Bible or in personal devotion and prayer? What disciplines do I need to put the love of Jesus into my attitudes and actions each day? What priorities do I need to adjust to ensure I and my family are intensely pursuing the one thing that matters, the love of the Lord Jesus and a life lived for the Lord Jesus?
Today, with the Lord’s help, run in such a way to gain the prize that lasts forever! Tomorrow do the same…and the next day…and the next! “Be faithful to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you for pursuing us with a focus and intensity that took you to the cross for each of us. Instill in us the discipline, determination, and dedication to pursue a closer and growing relationship with you so that when our final day on this earth comes, we will enjoy standing in your temple receiving the crown of life you won for us. AMEN.