JANUARY 16, 2016 PARTICIPATION TROPHIES
1 Corinthians 9:24-25: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
I recently heard a message dealing with the idea of “participation trophies”, and I will use this as a backdrop for todays’ blog. In our society, we are coming, or have come to the place where do not expect to win. We are at the place where just by “showing up”, one should get a trophy. This truth was brought home to me recently when I attended a gymnastics meet where it took almost as long to pass out all the trophies as it took for the competition part of the event. There has been a report out recently that stated: “it’s an error to think that it will harm a child not to get a trophy.” The danger is that we are presenting the message that just by participating, you get a trophy, or that we can expect something for nothing. Kids grow up and they discover the harsh truth in life that everyone does not get a trophy just for participating. Some of the fall-out of this “participation trophy” mindset in Christian circles is that instead of exercising spiritual muscles and fighting the good fight, one just waits----for whatever. The Apostle Paul understood the need for spiritual exercise, for training, for fighting the good fight. In this passage of scripture, Paul said that he did not run without aim and that he boxed in such a way as not beating the air. Paul also said that he “buffeted his body” making it his slave that he might not be disqualified. How about you and I? Are we swinging and running aimlessly, or are we running with purpose? We need to ask ourselves why we do what we do. Paul made an amazing statement when he said that he buffeted his body making it his slave! Do we let our body tell us what and how much to eat-how long to sleep-and how much entertainment to seek? Are we hoping and expecting to get a trophy by just showing up at church-at life-at work? Even though we are new creations and children of God, we must choose to walk in our newness and we are to pursue spiritual maturity. If we do not think that we are in a battle in life in general, we are deceived. If you don’t see the battle, then just take a look at what’s taking place in our society and you will see casualties and the ravages of war all around. God has equipped us in such a way that we can win the battles, but we must fight and engage the enemy. Fathers-you must fight for your family; Moms- you must fight to be the Mom you are called to be; Young people, you must fight to stay pure and be a testimony of the power of God; Churches, you must fight to represent and propagate the gospel. Tomorrow, next month, next year, we will realize the fruit of the choices we make today. Now here is the good news: we fight and we run from a position of power, of being overcomers, because we have the Holy Spirit living in us. We are called to put on the armor; to resist the enemy; and to take back the ground that the enemy has stolen. We are called to press on the maturity in the faith, becoming more and more like Christ. We recently looked at the book of Revelations and found that those who overcome, will be blessed. When the Lord returns, all believers will not receive a reward-only those who have made themselves ready, who have been “overcomers” in life, who have lived according to the gospel, will be rewarded. As we live our life out day by day, let us remember that we will not get a reward (trophy) just for living-but we get a reward for running the race well-running, expecting to win.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27: “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim, and I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Blessings,
Buddy
1 Corinthians 9:24-25: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
I recently heard a message dealing with the idea of “participation trophies”, and I will use this as a backdrop for todays’ blog. In our society, we are coming, or have come to the place where do not expect to win. We are at the place where just by “showing up”, one should get a trophy. This truth was brought home to me recently when I attended a gymnastics meet where it took almost as long to pass out all the trophies as it took for the competition part of the event. There has been a report out recently that stated: “it’s an error to think that it will harm a child not to get a trophy.” The danger is that we are presenting the message that just by participating, you get a trophy, or that we can expect something for nothing. Kids grow up and they discover the harsh truth in life that everyone does not get a trophy just for participating. Some of the fall-out of this “participation trophy” mindset in Christian circles is that instead of exercising spiritual muscles and fighting the good fight, one just waits----for whatever. The Apostle Paul understood the need for spiritual exercise, for training, for fighting the good fight. In this passage of scripture, Paul said that he did not run without aim and that he boxed in such a way as not beating the air. Paul also said that he “buffeted his body” making it his slave that he might not be disqualified. How about you and I? Are we swinging and running aimlessly, or are we running with purpose? We need to ask ourselves why we do what we do. Paul made an amazing statement when he said that he buffeted his body making it his slave! Do we let our body tell us what and how much to eat-how long to sleep-and how much entertainment to seek? Are we hoping and expecting to get a trophy by just showing up at church-at life-at work? Even though we are new creations and children of God, we must choose to walk in our newness and we are to pursue spiritual maturity. If we do not think that we are in a battle in life in general, we are deceived. If you don’t see the battle, then just take a look at what’s taking place in our society and you will see casualties and the ravages of war all around. God has equipped us in such a way that we can win the battles, but we must fight and engage the enemy. Fathers-you must fight for your family; Moms- you must fight to be the Mom you are called to be; Young people, you must fight to stay pure and be a testimony of the power of God; Churches, you must fight to represent and propagate the gospel. Tomorrow, next month, next year, we will realize the fruit of the choices we make today. Now here is the good news: we fight and we run from a position of power, of being overcomers, because we have the Holy Spirit living in us. We are called to put on the armor; to resist the enemy; and to take back the ground that the enemy has stolen. We are called to press on the maturity in the faith, becoming more and more like Christ. We recently looked at the book of Revelations and found that those who overcome, will be blessed. When the Lord returns, all believers will not receive a reward-only those who have made themselves ready, who have been “overcomers” in life, who have lived according to the gospel, will be rewarded. As we live our life out day by day, let us remember that we will not get a reward (trophy) just for living-but we get a reward for running the race well-running, expecting to win.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27: “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim, and I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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