Eye on the Prize

As young kids, we all can remember getting rewarded for our good behavior. I can remember my parents telling us if we were well behaved at church, at dinner or at the grocery store we would get a prize.This is still true today in today's society. We tell our children to be good at school, for the baby sitter and for mom or dad while the other is away for work and in return they will receive a prize of some sort.

I can reflect having birthday parties at Show Biz Pizza, now known as Chucky Cheese. While you were at Chucky Cheese, you played games and the more tickets you collected the bigger the prize you would trade them in for when you left. As adults, we still enjoy going to Dave and Busters, reliving our childhood playing video games and skee-ball. And we can in return for our success, get a prize before we leave. What happens though when we leave this life? What prize are we wanting and searching for?

Most people in life get caught up in winning and being successful as being the ultimate prize you can receive in life. How many championships, how much money we can accumulate and buying name brand material things become the focal points in which we base our success. Quite simply, though, the ultimate prize is when we arrive at the pearly gaits and await hearing God say " Well done my good and faithful servant." We should strive each day to be the best person that we can be and keep our eyes on what is truly important in this life.  Look to have faith, hope and love and do not look for glory or fame. Concentrate on being a messenger for a positive outlook on life that God's in control and sometimes our greatest disappointments are mercies in disguise. Keep your head held high and keep your eye on the prize. Just as we are rewarded as kids for winning our tickets, we will be rewarded in heaven when our job here on Earth is done for our obedience, faithfulness, sacrifices, forgiveness, walking in love and for a renewal each day to give our lives to Him.

What prize do you have your eyes set on?