I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14)

The story is told of a well-known major league baseball player who was 78 hits shy of breaking Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record. In an interview during that year’s spring training, the player was asked how many at-bats he would need to get those 78 hits. Without hesitation, his matter-of-fact response was “78.” A reporter questioned his philosophy. The player simply answered with this claim: “Every time I step up to the plate, I expect to get a hit! If I don’t expect to get a hit, I have no right to step in the batter’s box in the first place!” “If I go up hoping to get a hit,” he continued, “then I probably don’t have a prayer to get a hit. It is a positive expectation that has gotten me all of the hits in the first place.” It is not unusual for athletes who have a success story to attribute their success to keeping an eye on the prize.

If you have ever learned to play a musical instrument, you soon became aware that maintaining the proper beat is just as important as playing the correct notes.  For that reason, it is not unusual for music teachers to make use of a metronome, a device that produces an audible sound set to an established tempo assisting the beginner to internalize a clear sense of timing. As they advance and these student musicians take their place in bands and orchestras, the role of the metronome is replaced by the conductor.  Here combined instrumentation with changes in rhythm and tone force the musician to pay close attention to the conductor’s baton.  They learn to position themselves and their music in such a way that they are equally aware of both. When successful, the melodies to which they contribute result in a powerful performance in part because they have become very aware of the conductor.

It is for that reason that I reminded an old friend of mine who was having a health crisis that he needed to recollect our times together in high school band.  I urged him to recall that when we focused too much on the music, we could easily become out-of-sync with the director resulting in a failed performance. Similarly, I cautioned that with his illness – he needed to focus on the One who could lead him through the music he was facing rather than on his disease. The Apostle Paul said: “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-25).

When runners prepare to compete in the 100-meter race, they learn never to look to their right or left but only to keep their eyes fixated on the finish line . . . because in 10 seconds or less, the race can be over. Paul is saying don’t waste your time over the past. Don’t worry about the circumstances or obsess about the detractions that might come your way. He is telling us not to get caught up in the moment but to stay centered on what truly matters. He would agree with the hymnist who must have been aware of Hebrews 12:2 as she wrote: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace” (Helen H. Lemmel). I personally like the thoughts of pastor and author Dr. David Jeremiah who wrote, “We should be holy people eager to greet our Lord when He returns, ready at any moment for the trumpet’s call, people of optimism, busy in evangelism, hands to the plow, eyes on the prize.” Likewise, we do not need to take our eyes off the music and risk losing our place as long as we maintain complete awareness of the conductor. Fix your eyes on the only prize that matters —in both life and death—and you always be in tempo.

REFLECTION: What is one of your most memorable prizes or awards that you have received? What effort or sacrifices did you have to make in order to stay focused on the task at hand?  How can we keep our eye on the prize offered by God when there are so many worldly prizes that seem to be within our grasp?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., APRIL 1, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.