Head Coach

Well, I'd like to start this blog with a tribute and a dedication to a very important person in my life.

It's my Coach.

He's seen me through my ups and downs; when times are bad and the odds are against me, he stood by me and cheered me on, sometimes even putting in a hand to pull me through my circumstances. Times when I want to give up, he'd offer a word of encouragement, point me to the end and the rewards ahead and charge me to push on.

With deep dedication and firm resilience, resisting my every whim and tantrum, he held on to me, always believing in me despite my constant grumbling and complains. His goal? To see me grow stronger and develop deeper roots in my life; to see me finish the race and fight the good fight and attain the prize that is set before me.

He tells me all the time that his grace is sufficent for me, his strength made perfect in my weaknesses.

The name of my coach?

Jesus, the Christ.

Sounds like a lot of hard work...

you bet it is.

So what's in it for me anyway?

Last week, John read a passage of scripture from Philippians 3:14

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"

He challenged us to find out what this prize is.

Well, some brothers said it was the Crown of righteousness that was mentioned in Revelations where the elders would throw down at the feet of Jesus. Or the Crown of Life that's mentioned in James after enduring through all the temptations...

But is it just a bunch of jewels and stones that we're looking at? Isn't it a bit superficial that Christians are running a race for a bunch of stones and rubies and little gold crown to wear when we're in heaven?

I believe that God can only use metaphors to describe to us what the real prize is. In medieval times, crowns are used as a symbol of status in a king's court. The number of stones and elaborateness of the crown also shows certain position and authority that a man possesses.

From this, we have an inkling of an idea what He meant when He described the rewards as crowns of life and righteousness. It's got something to do with authority.

Chao Yang, my good brother, in my opinion, gave us a quick glimpse of this authority when he quoted from Revelations 20:4

"I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

In heaven, we are to reign with Christ. Simply that. It has always been God's plan for us, right from the start when He made the heavens and the earth.

It began in Genesis when He commanded Adam,

"Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the airand over every liveing creature that moves on the ground..."

Hmmm... am I excited over this? Not unless I'm a power hungry, corporate ladder or a king's court ladder climber kinda person.

So then, what is the real prize in this?

I think there must be something better, something more fulfilling and deeper than just wearing a crown and ruling over a bunch of rocks, stones, animals and vegetation.

In a king's court, I believe that only those who are high ranking are allowed to sit near to him. I mean, of course! Why not? These must be His most trusted subjects of the kingdom. The ones whom he most favours. Why? Because they have proven themselves to be worthy to sit with him in his courts! Battles won, policies that improved the kingdom, justice and righteousness meted out through these men and women. They have done things which are right in his sight and pleased him and for the kingdom.

Hmmm... seems like we're getting somewhere...

Let's look at some of the verses that talk about crowns.

2Timothy 4:7, 8

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished he race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearance"

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

Before anyone receives a crown, he is first tested. This means that those who sit in the King's court, had all been tested. These are the ones who chose to follow, despite their circumstances, despite the difficulties, despite the trials in their lives, despite the lack of blessings, despite personal fulfillment in their lives, just so to accomplish the will of God in their lives. They are the ones who followed the Lamb wherever He went, who love Jesus more than they love their lives (Revelations)

These are the ones who are worthy to sit in the King's court, the place where you can see the King's face and meet Him face to face.

What is the motivation in all this then?

"... receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

LOVE.

When we are tested, when our characters have been moulded and formed, we will be worthy to sit near to the One whom we love. Truly, truly, the measure of our love for Him can only be revealed through the trials and the testing that He subjects our souls to. Then we will really know how much we love Him... hahahaha...

sorry I laughed because I only begin to realise how little I love Him, until my heart is truly tested. But I know, I know deep within me that His love and His grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in my weaknesses.

He loves me despite the little I love Him, that's why He urges me like a coach who pushes his athlete on to complete the training that will make me stronger; to continue in the trials that I go through. Because the more He has, more will be given. I know, I know now, that deep in my heart, that the more trials I go through for Him, the more grace I will receive and the more stones, and rubies and gems I will be given on my crown.

And my real reward will come, when I finish the race, fought the good fight and kept the faith, to sit in His court, face to face with Him, the One that I love.

Forever and ever, till eternity.

Amen.