.....prize

There is an old story about the Greek Marathon.  Muscular, conditioned runners paced nervously near the starting line for the long-distance race. The time was near. They "shook out" their muscles, inhaled deeply, and put on their "game faces."

In the midst of it all, a young stranger took his place at the starting line. His physique was awesome. Taking no notice of the other contestants, he stared straight ahead. Two prizes would be awarded the winner of the Marathon: a magnificent bouquet of flowers and the honor of standing beside the king until the conclusion of other contests.

There seemed to be no question among the runners about who would win the prize. The stranger was offered large sums of money not to run. Someone else attempted to bribe him with property. Refusing the offers, he toed the mark and awaited the signal to run. When the signal was given, he was the first away. At the finish line, he was the first to cross, well ahead of the rest.

When it was all done, someone asked the young man if he thought the flowers were worth as much as the money and property he had refused. He replied, "I did not enter the race for the flowers. I ran so that I could stand beside my king!"

Can you say that?    "I did not enter the race for the flowers. I ran so that I could stand beside 'My King!'"  Those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ are "running the race".   It is a race that has a prize for those who finish - but notice, not those who finish first, but all who finish! 

This prize, according to Paul, is an "imperishable crown."

The rewards for those who enter heaven are described in scripture with a lot of terms - "many mansions", "streets of gold", "tree of life" - and the list goes on and on. All of those things are attractive. That's why God tells us about them.

But I would be willing to give up all the streets of gold and settle for a small corner of a shack as long as I can know the reward of being able to stand beside my King.

May I repeat that?  I would be willing to give up all the streets of gold and settle for a small corner of a shack as long as I can know the reward of being able to stand beside my King.  That's what I look forward to more than anything else. It is the one thing that will make heaven the wonderful reward that it will be.

  

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Rev 4:10-11 “The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Run the race with diligence. 

Your King is watching and waits for you at the finish line!!!

- dave langerfed