The Prize

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

It is interesting to recall how our Easter Egg Hunts have gone over the years in our family.  When our kids were small, we always hid the eggs in the most obvious places in our yard so they could easily see them and pick them up.  As the years progressed, the hiding places became more difficult – under a bush, behind a tree – more difficult but still expected places.  When we began to offer a Prize Egg, then the competition became rather intense and the hiding places became ridiculously hard!  They had to work for the prize.

Growing in the Christian faith is much like that Easter Egg Hunt.  We begin to learn the obvious roots of our faith by looking in the simple places where we are spoon fed the basics of the Bible.  Later, we begin to delve deeper into the faith by trying to discover the truths of our faith by Bible Studies or organized classes and services.  Lastly, we step out in faith and begin to personalize our faith and the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of it.  We need to know the goal or prize and pursue it through service to others and living the faith.

Sometimes this life can be so discouraging that we tire of looking for the prize.  We get tired, discouraged, and overwhelmed.  In these times, we need to remember why we follow Him in the first place.  As we strive for the prize or goal of spiritual perfection, we are blessed with an awareness of what we can be in the Lord’s presence one day.    The prize of focusing on our goal is the assurance that one day we shall behold Him.

On this Easter,  my mind turns to two very special people that won the prize recently.  Selfishly, we wanted to keep Grace and Robert here because we love them, but we can celebrate  their victory and joy as they have received the prize and  are beholding Jesus face to face.

As we go through the rest of this Holy Week and it’s sadness and suffering, it is good for us to see the prize and victory that Resurrection Day brings!

The sky shall unfold preparing His entrance; The stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise;  The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting, And we shall behold Him then face to face.   “We Shall Behold Him”  Sandi Patti 

Happy Easter!