Training for the Everlasting Crown.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

^“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last,
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 New International Version

My daughter played high school softball this year.  She was cut from the team at her former school, but that did not deter her from trying out again when we moved back to Colorado.

She wanted to incorporate the sport into her senior photo shoot.  I love this shot because her drive and determination shine from behind the fence.  The metal webbing does not define or limit her, just as failing to make one team did not discourage her from taking a swing at another one.

When writing to the young church in Corinth, Paul mentions athletes who train at great lengths to receive their crown.  It is most likely that Paul was referring to the Greek Isthmian games, which was a festival of athletic and music competitions in honor of the sea god Poseidon. The church at Corinth would be familiar with the event, so Paul was able to draw the correlation between an earthly prize and a heavenly crown.

Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that they should relentlessly strive for the everlasting reward….one that has been purchased in blood by our savior Christ.  The gifts of the Word and Holy Spirit help to guide, uplift, and strengthen us on that journey.

Just as an athlete consistently and strenuously trains toward that ultimate earthly prize, we should endeavor to fix our eyes on the far more precious heavenly crown.

May we always be reminded not to let the trials of this world drag us down, but rather to take courage and swing for the heavenly fences!

Photo and Text Copyright: Darcia Kunkel