CROWN OF LIFE

Whether you are a football fan or not, you are likely aware that today is Super Bowl Sunday. Throngs of people will be watching, either to cheer on their favorite team, support someone else who has a favorite team playing, or perhaps even to root against a team they dislike! Others will be watching just to see the imaginative commercials for which are paid millions of dollars for just a minute of air time.

The teams' players have prepared and trained hard for this ultimate match up at the end of the season. Much time and effort has been put forth on their part in an attempt to come out the winners of the prize in the end. But is it all worth it? That depends upon your perspective.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last..." I Corinthians 9:24-25a

Their victory is for only the one season. Next year it all starts over again. There is some building on the past, but even so, the prize is only fleeting in the eternal perspective. However, we all are running a race to win an eternal prize.

"... but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I Corinthians 9:25b

The good news is, we do not win the prize by our own doing. We are to fight the good fight and finish the race, meaning we are to remain faithful to the end, and we will receive the crown of righteousness won for us by Jesus, Christ. He is the victor! We reap the benefits!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

We are simply asked to persevere in faith through all that life throws at us. Sometimes those trials are minor, other times they are seemingly overwhelming, but God sees us through it all.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Life's trials can be extremely difficult and can cause a lot of fear and anxiety. God promises those trials will be temporary, and even though they may bring us near death, if we are faithful in the end we will receive eternal life with Christ in heaven.

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown." Revelation 2:10

God also promises to be with us in those trials and to bring us through the suffering of this life.

"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." Revelation 3:11

Our crown of life is entirely due to God's love, grace and mercy, an undeserved gift to us through his Son, our Savior. He even gives us the power to remain faithful. And for all of this we give him our eternal thanks and praise. God alone is worthy of our ultimate worship.

"...[they] fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne..." Revelation 4:10

May the Lord, our God, bless you with the crown of life, and may He give you the ability to forever keep your eyes on that prize.

written by Jan A.