The Wrong Prize

The Wrong Prize

So many people buy lottery tickets, hoping to win the mega million dollar prize.  When the prize amount gets up in the 8 and 9 digits, lottery sales skyrocket.  And how many stories do we hear about those lottery winners going broker after just a short time?  It's so sad.

I have had a really good prize year this past year with my Mary Kay sales.  I've been queen of sales for about 9 out of 12 months earning pin after pin and last month I got to wear the Queen of Sales crown.  I've earned beautiful necklaces and earrings, a lovely pair of lamps, paid conference registration, plus 3 gorgeous rings and my latest prize was an awesome teal colored handbag.  I wholeheartedly went after each of these prizes and hit the mark, each time.  I aimed for the BIG end of year prize, but didn't quite make it.  This was okay because I know I gave it my all.  If I didn't work hard to try to attain that BIG prize I would have regrets, but in this case, no regrets, but I still really wanted it.  Anyway, when my teal handbag arrived, I took a picture of it and sent it out to my girls with excitement - in big letters, I wrote - LOVE IT!!!!  And of course they Oooo'd and Ahhh'd in support.  I was feeling so proud and lucky and rewarded for my efforts. 

THEN, I did my Bible study for the day.  God has this way of putting me in check when I get going down a kind of crooked path in my way of thinking or in my actions.  I love that about Him.  He never lets me get too far off the path but gently takes my hand and redirects me.  Well, this day He was redirecting big time.

The devotion for the day in my Jesus Calling book was about how God doesn't want us to judge one another or ourselves.  And it went on to say if we live close to God and absorb His Word, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct. While it didn't seem like this message was pertinent to me for this particular day, my little devotional book lead me to read 2 Timothy 4:8, which says, "And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return.  And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing."

Hold - the - phone!!!  I reread the verse - twice - and then again just for good measure.  It hit me like a metal wrecking ball on the side of a brick building - I've been going after the wrong prize!!!  The prize I need to be focusing on is the Crown of Righteousness.  I need to work toward that crown.  There was that gentle Godly redirection I told you about.  I should be spending my time and efforts on following His commands, serving Him, teaching His children, listening to Him, obeying and studying His Word.  The Crown of Righteousness is the right prize to seek.

The Queen of Sales crown is cool, but it is temporary.  The Crown of Righteousness will be eternal.  The jewelry, the things - all earthly; the Crown of Righteousness - heavenly and I'll get it from Jesus Himself!!  Now THAT'S cool!!!!!

Do I think God wants us to have cool earthly prizes? Yes, I think He does. But He does not want us to make those the most important or only prizes for which we strive.  For then they become the wrong prizes.  Beware of the wrong prizes!  They can cause a blindness to the right prize!