The Prize



Phi 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in 

	Christ Jesus. 


	It started as a spark in his heart when he was yet a young child and just 

learning to communicate. Many stories were being read to him, which he loved 

very much. Even though he didn't know what all the words meant, there was 

something exciting that took place in his imagination as he listened and created 

his own images in his mind. There was one particular theme that became his 

favorite, and from hearing it played out in many different stories, there was 

fuel given to the spark that would cause it to become the consuming flame of his 

heart. There were many heroes about whom these stories were told who became the 

greatest and were honored with the victory prize for their extraordinary 

accomplishments. These characters became the players in his dreams at night, and 

he found that after a while he joined them in those dreams, as not just an 

observer, but as one of them in their victories. 


	During the day he began to play their role, pretending to be them in their 

position of greatness. He could see himself with them already, but he had not 

yet grown to their size and strength and there would be so much for him to learn 

in skill and in strategy. He persuaded his parents to let him participate in 

every opportunity available to learn and develop the necessary skills, and he 

spent all his personal time working to perfect them. He developed a bit of 

disdain for anything that might take him away from this obsession. When given 

the invitation to just do things everyone else was doing, he more often than not 

refused, so that he could remain focused on what was driving him. 


	He didn't really have the "natural" abilities that some of the others 

seemed to have and he found it difficult to master the things that appeared to 

come so easily to them. Instead of allowing them to keep him from his ultimate 

goal of greatness, though, he began to see these little drawbacks as prizes 

themselves that would be enjoyed along the way. He learned to adapt and adjust 

so that at each level of mastery he could succeed. Against all the discouraging 

words, injuries and uncompromising disciplines he pressed on to eventually live 

the dream of his lifetime and stand on the victory stand of those that had so 

inspired him. 


	Having not had that first spark, though, and then the continually added 

fuel of inspiration for the vision of his heart, he would never have been able 

to experience the fulfillment of that dream. He would have been easily diverted 

from the path to ultimate victory by things of insignificance. Without the 

instruction along the way and the setting of the smaller goals and prizes, there 

would have been an interruption of progress from which he might have never 

recovered. He did make it, but how many more might have also risen to a position 

of victory if they could have been given nothing more than his clear vision of 

that prize? 


	There is a victorious theme that we've been given in all those who have 

gone before. Though each one of us has our own place and though we will each be 

motivated by a unique vision of position and service in Christ, there is equal 

potential for all to live the dream and experience the vision of that victory. 

Just as any man who would make his way to greatness, though, there must be 

maintenance of the vision of the prize. In order to take on the little battles 

along the way and in order to be given to the life of discipline that is so 

necessary, there must be a continual fueling of the fire to stand with those who 

have run their course and finished without regret and without shame. Unfazed by 

the sight of what might have already taken place, both good and bad, there is 

this obsession with what lies ahead, this vision of a fulfilled life in Him. 

When given the opportunity to take another route that might divert from 

progression towards Him, there is a disdain that rises within for that option 

and makes rejection of it so easy and natural. 


	What is so incredible about this opportunity of greatness is that it is an 

eternal opportunity. It is never too late. We've never been around too long to 

achieve or fulfill the calling that is before us. There may have been choices 

made and routes taken that have disallowed certain options, but in Christ there 

is an unending supply of options and opportunities before the one who will but 

take the vision of the prize and let it grow to a motivating flame of the heart. 

Much better than anything that might have happened is the thing that will most 

definitely happen if we will just keep our vision and our mind stayed on Him and 

the victory that is inevitable as we ever press towards our prize of the high 

calling in Christ. 


	More than a passing positive thought, this overwhelming hope and vision 

will carry us through and past any obstacles of difficulty in the way. We'll be 

able to press on to the victory that is won for us in Christ and known by us as 

we make Him our continual vision of choice. 



7/05/04