WARM-UP
Even after you’ve decided to follow Jesus, the temptation to fall back into the world’s way of competing can be very strong. However, pursuing fake culture creates a lack of authenticity and often makes you hide behind your successes and failures.
God’s way, however, is real and lasts far beyond the temporary highs you can experience in this life.
WORKOUT
Temporary Things
Before following Jesus, the apostle Paul relied on his heritage, his education and his technical skills to gain wealth and power. But then, he traded those old ways of doing things for God’s ways. Even though it wasn’t the easiest path to take, he understood that accolades, acclaim, influence and comfort were all temporary things.
When writing to the Christians in Corinth, Paul used a sports analogy to make this point:
Q: What are some of your biggest accomplishments as a competitor?
Q: After an athletic success, how long does it take before you stop thinking about it and start thinking about your next goal?
Lasting Glory
Eventually, Paul was imprisoned and then martyred for publicly preaching the Gospel. In that moment, he was instantly with Jesus in Heaven. All of his troubles were gone. All of the material things Paul once pursued prior to following Jesus no longer mattered.
The same will be true for you one day. That’s why it’s important to remember that God’s glory is a lasting, forever glory. It is the hope of Heaven and eternity with Jesus that will help you get through those times when you want to let up or even quit. As Paul also wrote:
Competing for God’s lasting glory is the extreme opposite of the world’s way. But with His strength, you can compete for a greater prize—the promise of abundant life on Earth (joy, peace, love, etc.) and eternal life in Heaven.
Q: What are some difficult challenges you think you might face on your journey as a competitor who has decided to follow Jesus?
Q: How might remembering God’s promises for now and forever help you resist the temptation to let up or give up?
WRAP-UP
When considering the long-term impact of your decision to follow Jesus, remember that:
• Lasting Glory can only be found in a relationship with Him. Trophies, medals, news articles, and monetary gains will all fade away.
As you begin to understand the difference between the temporary things of this world and the eternal things of Heaven, you will continue to move from chasing your glory to reflecting His glory.
Key Action
In your Huddle or in your quiet time, write down your competitive goals in one column and your spiritual goals in another. Compare and contrast how each of those lists will impact your earthly future and your eternal future.