While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”!  Over the next 2 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself.  Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.

Here is day thirty with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to win the prize that only He can give.

Called To Win the Prize

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever won anything that you knew would never have been possible to obtain on your own?  How does winning even small things make you feel?  Why?  How much does the encouragement of others help you to continue seeking something they believe you can obtain?  Would you be more likely to enter a contest if the person in charge indicated you would win if you didn’t give up?  Why?  In that light, how does being called by God to win the prize influence your desire to press on through whatever comes in life?

I used to get letters in the mail that were very clearly marked on the outside, “You may have already won!”.  While those were intriguing, the little word “may” often kept me from doing anything to win the potential prize.  When God calls us to win the prize, there is no maybe involved — at least not in His willingness to give.  It is our faithfulness in pursuing Him, not our perfection in doing so, that results in our receiving the prize for which we are called heavenward.  Knowing that the prize of eternity with God awaits us, our goal each day ought to be to walk with Jesus in such a way that others see Him in us.

As you pray about being called to win the prize, ask God to fill you with the desire to be faithful.  Pray that you would live with a confidence in God’s ability to deliver the prize for which He has called you to receive.  Pray that your relationship with God would help you to keep your eyes fixed on the eternal prize He offers.  Pray that you would walk faithfully with God each day as you not only anticipate the prize that is to come, but as you share that prize with others.

In prayer,

Tom