I only received one prize in all my school years – “the progress prize”. I suppose it was given to motivate low achievers to try harder. It might not have been the “top of grade” prize but I was nonetheless very excited getting a prize even if I wasn’t the best. Winning prizes is a huge motivator. Just look at the joy of the winner holding their trophy up high on the podium after a sports event. Yet eventually all these trophies eventually end up on a shelf or discarded in a cupboard somewhere – memories, but little more. However, there is one prize that we can all strive for, the ultimate prize – eternal life. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). The best thing about this prize is it lasts forever. However, Jesus is the only one to stand on the podium and win this prize. But the good news is, unlike other winners, Jesus offers this prize as a gift to you (Romans 6:23), even though we are not the best and don’t deserve it. All he asks is that we strive to serve him in all our ways. This is a divine progress prize – eternal life. Wow.
