Choose the Crown, Not the Trophy

Choose the Crown, Not the Trophy

We live in a world that loves to hand out medals and awards - in school, academia, sport, entertainment … you name it. So each year, like clockwork, Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the Academy Awards; the Oscars, as they're known — a night drenched in glitz and glamour. Flashing cameras, glittering gowns, tailored tuxedos, and million-dollar smiles line the stage where the world's biggest stars gather. Those gold statuettes gleam under dazzling lights as limousines queue outside and champagne flows inside. It's the entertainment industry's crown jewel — a spectacle of elegance, luxury, and prestige that captures the imagination of millions watching on across the globe. Yet in a recent interview, Hollywood A-Lister and dual Academy Award winner Denzel Washington said, "Man gives the award. God gives the reward. On my last day, the Oscars won't do me any good." Hebrews 11:24-26 Moses grew up and became a man. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose not to enjoy the pleasures of sin that last such a short time. Instead, he chose to suffer with God's people. He did this because he had faith. He thought it was better to suffer for the Messiah than to have all the treasures of Egypt. He was waiting for the reward that God would give him. We can be so busy chasing the world's accolades and awards that we lose sight of the crown of life that comes to the one who suffers for Christ, who endures to the end. Aim for the crown, not the trophy, because while the trophy lasts for a time, in Christ, the crown of life is yours for eternity. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

All Means All

In the affluent West where I live, when there's a tragedy in another Western nation – a school shooting, a train accident, a terrorist incident – it's all over the news. But the wars and terrorism raging in Africa never get a mention, despite the suffering and carnage. Most have never even heard of the plight of the dispossessed and the stateless, like the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. Why is that? In an episode of the American Drama, The West Wing, an aide says to the President: "The idea that some lives are worth more than others is the root of all that's wrong with the world." The President replies quietly: "Yes, it is." That cuts deep because, in reality, that's how the world operates — some lives valued, others discarded, some lifted high, others overlooked. And if we're honest, sometimes we think like that too. But the Apostle Paul tells us something radically different:. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (ESV) In God's economy, no life is worth more than another. Christ didn't die only for the powerful and ignore the weak. He died for all. His sacrifice levels the ground at the foot of the cross. And if Christ's love compels us, then we cannot rank people by status, race, income, usefulness, or background. To live for Jesus means to see every life through His eyes — equally precious, equally in need of grace, equally worth our love. The idea that some lives matter less is the root cause of all that is wrong with the world. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Stop Procrastinating. Start Sowing

We all know that feeling: waiting for the "perfect time" before we act. But life doesn't work that way. Opportunities slip by while we hesitate and before long, the moment's passed altogether. Taking the first step into something new is daunting. Equally, taking the thousandth step in something that's been dragging on for an eternity is exhausting. Wherever you are on your journey, procrastination seems alluring indeed. Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (ESV) Ahh, it's too windy, better not sow. Look at those storm clouds. Not a good time to harvest. Do you see? Wherever you are on the journey, procrastination is always an option. And yet, the faster you do the hard things you want to avoid, the faster you'll receive the good things you actually want. Yes, there are risks and uncertainties along the way, but just as you don't know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you don't know the work of God who makes everything. God is on this journey with you, so stop procrastinating. Start sowing. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Highest Form of Worship

We live in a world addicted to grand gestures. Social media loves it — the dramatic donation, the public apology, the grand act of kindness. But behind the spotlight, it's the small, quiet choices that matter most. The truth is: obedience doesn't trend, it transforms. So, imagine that a young man saves for months to buy his mother a beautiful gift. But when he gives it to her, she smiles and says, 'What I really wanted was for you to spend time with me.' He gave her something costly, but he missed the one thing her heart longed for. Isn't that how we can be with God sometimes?" 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel answered, "Which pleases the LORD more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the LORD than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams." Samuel spoke those words to King Saul of Israel after he'd disobeyed God. Well, Saul had partially obeyed, but in the end partial obedience is still disobedience. It's so easy to go through the motions, sing songs, lift your hands in worship, drop cash into the offering … and yet, for our hearts still not to be truly "all in". And how can you tell if you're all in? By what you do, by how you live your life. Sacrifices cost you things. Obedience costs you your life. It is better to obey the LORD than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams. In truth, obedience is the highest form of worship. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Forever Joy

Your journey from this point through to the end of your life still holds a good many opportunities to walk away from your eternity with God, as the world tries to dupe you into believing that it's all about the here and now; that heaven and hell are merely a figment of your imagination. Here's the plain truth, a truth that I believe with every fibre of my being. God is all-loving, but also just. We've each fallen short of His standard of holy perfection, meaning that none of us can ever deserve or earn our place with Him for all eternity. That's why He sent Jesus into this world - His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him wouldn't perish, but have the gift of eternal life. It's a free gift of grace paid for with a terrible cost - the life of Jesus, crucified on that Cross for you and me. That's the truth. Many believe that truth - perhaps you do too. Yet the opportunities to stumble, to squander this free gift between now and then, are many. But that's no surprise to God. Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (ESV) God is more than able to keep you from stumbling. Trust Him. Draw close to Him. Depend on Him. Because He has a plan: to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. The surest anchor for your soul is the joy of knowing the God who saves, sustains, and who will finally bring you home. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.