"In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:6 (TLB)
If you've ever watched the Olympics or a major Track and Field or biking event, you may remember seeing the boxes or podiums at the awards ceremony. Staggered in height with the tallest being for the number one spot, the next tallest for the number two and finally the shortest for the person coming in third place, the top three winners will line up on their appropriate boxes and be given their medals. By the world's standards a "winner" is the one who has beat his or her opponent(s) and who has sacrificed all to be the best that they can be. While I have never spent much time on a podium in first or second place, I do know that, to be a " real winner", my place is always third. In fact, it's a coveted position we should all be striving for.
In the first box, representing our number one priority is God, as Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Second place goes to helping others. And, lastly... yes, you guessed it, is ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
While it may seem strange that being last ultimately makes us a "winner", it's great to know that if we put God first in everything we do, He will direct us and crown our efforts with success. There is victory in that knowledge my friends.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings and worldly "wins" you have allowed us to achieve. Help us to remember, Lord, that we are working for more than any medal this world can give us. We are working for you, serving others and competing for the greatest crown of all, the prize of an eternal life spent with you. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Love the Lord - Lincoln Brewster
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