Eternal Awards
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring
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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