Daily Devotional for Sunday January 23, 2000

Running For The Prize

(Philippians 3:14)

Running for the prize. For those who love football, today is known as Championship Sunday. This afternoon, the Tennessee Titans will play the Jacksonville Jaguars for the right to represent the AFC in next week's Super Bowl, and the Tampa Bay Bucs will play the St. Louis Rams to determine the representative from the NFC. The season that started out with such hope and promise in July, will be over for all but 2 teams by the end of the day, and next week, one of those teams will win the ultimate prize . . . the Super Bowl.

The journey a football team takes from training camp, thru pre-season, the 16 game regular season, and finally the playoffs, is full of ups and downs. It is ull of peaks and valleys. Along the way people get injured, teams often change strategies, and many events lead to the ultimate success they experience. St. Louis is now the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl, and just last year they won only 4 games all season! Tampa Bay lost it's starting quarterback, it's second string quarterback, and has played with a rookie at that most critical position the last 5 games and through the playoffs. The bottom line is all of these teams still alive have overcome adversity, worked hard, and kept their eye on the prize.

I appreciate you allowing me to talk sports with you, a subject I have loved since I was very, very young. The spiritual application here is obvious. Our Christian life is a journey. There are a lot of things to overcome along the way. We often have to change strategy and the game plan at times, but through it all, we MUST keep our eyes on the prize. We must not let the bumps in the road slow us down. It is important that even when things don't work out today, that we don't give up and that we stay focused. Luckily, unlike football, we don't have to do it in our own strength. We have God on our side to give us wisdom, guidance, strength, and love to help us each step of the way. Unlike in a football game, where either team has a chance to win, God has already defeated our foe. Unlike a football game where you have to wait until the game is over to know the final score, we already know that in the end, if we know Christ as Savior, WE WIN!!! How much easier should it be for us each day to keep focused on the prize when we know that no matter what, in the end, we will be victorious!

I love you, I care deeply about you, and God has placed me in your life to help you along your journey. My prayer for you today is that no matter what may be going on in your life, you always keep focused on the prize. You can't let the ups and downs of life keep you from your ultimate objective. I truly believe that the Lord has allowed you to receive these Daily Devotionals to keep you focused on the prize. It is so easy during the course of a day to lose sight of what we are really trying to accomplish. We get off track much of the time, which ultimately keeps us from the fullness of God's blessings. God wants you to stay focused, to stay on track, and to keep your eyes on the prize. Never forget that He loves you, and wants you to know and enjoy that love during your life and for eternity.