Awards

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I've just endured...(um, scratch that) come, yes, I've just come from a two hour school awards program.
I really dislike awards programs.
It seems to me that there are a small percentage of the kids who get 90% of the awards and the remaining awards are scattered throughout the rest of the student population. Doesn't it?

I had two children in today's awards program and one had a chest full of medals that clinked every time he walked up to get yet another award and then there was the other one who had her soccer pin and a lone trophy, which was quite reflective of her mother's experience in elementary school...maybe that's why I'm not so fond of these programs...?

I don't think I'm competitive enough for the awards game. A shiny trophy or the possibility of being "the best" does not motivate me to do whatever is necessary to be THE winner. These Olympic athletes that are at the pool, or rink at 4am every day, they just amaze me- and the parents that get them there, they're even more amazing! I just don't think there's anything I value enough to be that committed to it. No trophy, or record, or fame, or laurel wreath could possibly be worth enough for me to live my life so singly focused.

But there is one thing that can motivate me; Ms. non-athlete, non-competitive, give me a comfy chair over a run any day. There is one thing that makes me put on my running shoes every day and that is grateful love.

It's what the Bible says -
I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. (2 Timothy 4:7,8 NLT)

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24 ESV)

No, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13,14 NLT)

We love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:10 KJV)

God loves me. He lavishes me with His love every day. (Lamentations 3:23) He pours out blessings and grace for my every need. He never leaves me. He's promised to lead me all of my life until one day He leads me home into His presence.

I am not by any means a runner, I can't even power walk but this one thing I know; with every non-athletic bone in my body, this is the race I must finish, this is the one award I am striving for: to complete the ministry that God has given to me and to be found faithful to the end of my life.

When we gather in heaven for that awards ceremony I want Him to call my name.
I want to hear Him say that I finished the race, I stayed my course and that I couldn't wait for Him to come again.

I want that crown!
I want to hold that in my hands.
My motivation is not the shiny trophy, because that wouldn't be enough.
I run the race (Hebrews 12:1) as well or as haltingly as I do each day so that someday I'll have that crown to lay at the feet of Jesus.

Comments

Chris D said…
Beautiful thoughts, Becky, and so true. I never had any awards when I was a kid and Sam had 6 of them.

It's so wonderful when God rewards us with small things, don't you think?

Great post. Loved it.

Love, chrisd from Coffee Break
June 10, 2009 at 12:06 AM
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