Focus On Rewards From Above

One day, I was scrolling through a Facebook page and saw a post about some sort of “Talent award” reality show. Then, I begin to think of the terms Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards. Out of the blue, I start thinking to myself, if I will ever be one of the talents who is eligible and outstanding enough to stand on the stage, to receive this award, will this ever happen in my entire life.

Throwback to few years ago, when I was still working for my ex-company, the company had an annual dinner event. There was an award session to reward those employees who did amazing in sales or work. That night, me and my colleagues were busy preparing for the event. We were arranging trophies and certificates, on the outside I act like I don’t really care about those trophies, those acrylic plastics, but on the inside, I can’t help but start to think if I’ll ever get a chance to stand on the stage to receive that beautiful acrylic plastic, preferably with my name glittering on it. After that annual dinner event, those who receive the awards are extremely happy. But as they say, you can’t make everyone happy, there are people who felt unfair towards the committee’s decision and yes, a bit of drama did happen after the event ended.

Speaking of drama, in 2009, at MTV Video Music Awards event, when Taylor Swift was giving a speech when she receive the award, Kayne West literally grabbed the microphone from her simply to express that he thinks this video award should goes to Beyonce. In real life, awards and prizes are exclusive, people were coveting against each other for them, even if it’s just a piece of plastic trophy or a piece of paper, without any cash or money alongside it.

But as a Christian, I can rest assured that as long as I follow God’s path, doing things God’s way. One day, when the appointed time has come, I may hear God says ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ And yes, I believe there will be prizes and awards awaiting.

Here’s a bible verse for encouragement1 Corinthians 9:24-27Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air. But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

So, will I ever do something significant enough to get an award in my entire life while I am still living on this earth？ I don’t know. But one thing I do sure of as a Christian is that one day when the time has come for us to meet the Lord, there will be crowns, awards, prizes waiting for us. I don’t have to focus on competing with other people to earn that prize. But I do need to follow what Jesus has taught us and ask us to do, I need to stay focused on Him. And most importantly, that prize is imperishable and going to last forever.

Philippians 3:13-14 … but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.