We sat together watching the olympics.  Woman’s gymnastics.  They are incredible.

We were all in awe; watching and flinching and stretching in the hopes that our stretching would give the US a little more balance (Doing the Raisman dance).

As they were giving us some well deserved gold medals, our 7 year old gymnast asked the question, “Mommy, what are you going to do with all my trophies?”

Now, she doesn’t have any trophies, not yet, but I love this attitude.  As her dad, I immediately pictured the room that we will have to add on to our house just to accommodate the flow of honors.  One room for each child.  Actually, they will probably each need a house just to keep their trophies.  Maybe more.  

I cannot wait to see how this attitude changes her next gymnastics class.

The apostle Paul had this attitude as well.  1 Corinthians 9:26 – “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.”  He was also talking about a sports competition that began in Greece (look at verse 25).

What would happen if I had this attitude?

Everything I do, I expect to do it until I am the best I can possibly be.  Until I attain THE TROPHY.

Would that change the way I preached on Sundays?  Would it change the way I exercised?  Would it change the way I raised my kids?  Loved my wife?  Treated my friends?

Paul also asked us to consider our trophy…  Colossians 3:23-24. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Jesus, You alone are my Trophy.  Please build a house inside of me where You will be shown off and magnified.  Let me work hard and with intention today until I attain that inheritance which You have already purchased with Your blood sweat and tears for me.  Amen.