Friday, July 12, 2019

Eternal Awards ~ Alexis A. Goring ~ Faithful Friday


 


Eternal Awards
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” –  1 Corinthians 9:25 [NIV]

Recently, one of my books was up for an award. It was for a major award given to Christian fiction writers, one that would advance my career and increase my chances of being represented by a literary agent. Needless to say, I was eager to find out if my book made it to the final rounds!

A few months later, I found out that my book didn’t make it to the final rounds of judging meaning that it was not selected to be a finalist which also means I have no chance of winning the award this year.

I was disappointed because it was, according to many other writers and readers, my “best book” yet. So I hoped that maybe the judges of this awards contest would agree. However, apparently they did not.

Most book award contests are an annual event so though I could always write a new book and enter that new book into the contest in the future, this experience has made me think about the one award that I really want to receive and the best news is, I don’t have to compete for it. That award, according to 1 Corinthians 9:25, is a “crown that will last forever.”

The full verse alludes to what we now call The Olympics. It talks about how the athletes who sign up to participate in these great games (held in Greece back in ancient days) first endure strict training. Modern day athletes wake up before sunrise to hit the gym, exercise and train their talent. They hire coaches and personal trainers. They give up French fries, sugar and other unhealthy foods to ensure that their body is in optimal health so that they can perform at their best, all of which increases their chances of winning the gold medal.


But 1 Corinthians 9:25 tells us essentially that all of their efforts even if they win, are in vain because their award, that gold medal or as The Bible says, “crown”, will not last. Why? Because it is man made and anything made by mankind, no matter how magnificent, will not last forever.

However, there is an award, a REAL crown that ALL people who follow Jesus Christ will receive if they keep following Him. The God-made crown is an award that will, according to 1 Corinthians 9:25, “last forever.”

But it is not just a crown that awaits you if you follow Jesus, eternal life also awaits! An eternity spent with Jesus in Heaven and on the Earth made new when sin is no more and the original glories of mankind and Mother Nature are restored.

I look forward to that day, receiving that award and having a body that is healthier than an Olympic athlete. The Bible says that we will become immortal and live eternally when Jesus Christ returns to take us home to Heaven. Read 1 Corinthians 15:53-55 [NIV] for details.

Earthly awards – no matter how sought after or grand – pale in comparison to the eternal award that awaits those who follow Jesus! So keep the faith and follow Jesus all the way to Heaven. The award is well worth the wait!
 Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.


 

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