Today was the last day of the regular season for the National Football League. There are 32 teams in the league, and at the beginning of the season, they all were aiming to be the Super Bowl Champions at the end of the season. Now, there are 14 teams remaining in the hunt to be world champions. After this next weekend there will be eight teams left, then four, then two and then the Super Bowl. All the experts are making their guesses, and millions of dollars are being bet on the outcome, but nobody knows for sure. All the players are practicing hard and giving it their best shot to be the winner, but only one team will be left when it is all over. It reminds me of my favorite Bible passage.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do 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.

The effort those football players are giving to win a perishable prize we ought to be giving to win a prize that will last forever at the Judgment Seat of Christ, are you?