Gold and Glory

We’re all watching with great interest the progress of the Olympic Games. We react with pride for those who win and feel the disappointment of those who don’t.

The motivation of every athlete who attends is the same: Win The Gold! Participation puts the winning athlete and his/her country through intense scrutiny. It is truly a stage upon which the actors play out their lines. What great theater!

We all admire sacrifice. We respond to the soldier, the athlete, the astronaut, the person of God whose sacrifices and selfless acts bring honor to their country, or glory to their God.

The Apostle Paul describes a high calling, which is not too much different from the athlete. He talks of bringing his body into subjection, of trying for the prize, of finishing the race, receiving the reward. He speaks of incredible hardships, but counters by saying that none of that matters, if he can win Christ.

It is not the crown we strive for. The crown is not the prize. A crown, after all, is merely an outward ornamentation of who one really is. A king is a king whether he wears his ceremonial crown, or no crown.

What IS the prize the Apostle had in mind? It is not position, for positionally we are already seated with Christ. It is Christ’s work and His alone, which makes us children of God, and if children, then heirs. The crown goes with sonship.

It cannot be worldly honor we strive for, for therein lies emptiness.

It cannot be riches, as some of God’s choicest servants are poorest in this world’s goods.

No, the prize we all strive for is one which we can all win. We will be given crowns–as we are, after all, the King’s children. Like the athlete, we are going for the gold–to see Jesus face-to-face, to receive his commendation, to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

In all of time and eternity, there can be no higher accolade.

Judy Malone, February 2022