The Prize

The Olympics are here
      and so we are told.
It’s only the winners
      who will receive gold.
The athletes have trained
      and worked for so long.
To prove they’re the fastest,
      the best, and the strong.
But in such a group
      where the best surely rise.
In each competition,
      only one gets top prize.

So what can we say
      about all the rest?
Who have no gold medal
      though they did their best.
Someone did better
      or something went wrong.
The world looks at them
      as if they don’t belong.
As hard as they work
      and as much as they try.
Sometimes they’re left sitting
      and wondering why.

To the strong goes the prize,
      at least that we say.
But what if they’re strong
      in a much different way?
To be faithful in small things,
      God calls us to be.
The little things matter,
      though no one may see.
The true test of strength
      is what will you do,
When no one is watching
      or looking at you?

You may be able
      to hide from all men.
But God will still notice,
      what will you do then?
To give Him your all
      is all that He asks.
To put Him before
      all your other tasks.
To train your mind daily
      to look all around.
With all your heart seek God
      and He will be found.

The prize will be given
      when you finish this race.
Not because you’re fastest,
      rather you’ve sought His face.
So the training continues
      as this life you live.
You reflect Jesus
      when to others you give.
To give yourself fully
      like God’s only Son.
To finish the race
      and He says, “Well done.”
©

I spent some time with God this morning and thought about the Olympics as they began last night.  God gave me this poem as a reminder that in His view, it is the faithful who win the prize.  I am thankful for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace so that a performance mistake on the world’s stage doesn’t disqualify me nor negate all of my training.  I pray that this poem brings glory to God and accomplishes the purposes for which He gave it.

In prayer,
Tom