I wonder how those who get a gold medal hung around their neck at the Olympics feel. I bet it is surreal; you would feel like pinching yourself to ensure it is real. I have had some honors that were very special to me; in fact, they were so special that I still go back and look at pictures of the event and try to recapture some of the emotion. The level of joy felt when being honored is determined by my relationship to the person or people who are honoring me. The person who could make me feel most special was my Dad, and now it is my wife, kids, grandkids, and friends.

The honor and glory that I hope that I will get from Jesus at the end of my life is the most motivating honor there is in my life. I will stand before Him at the end of my life at the Judgment Seat of Christ and I hope that I will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.”

The desire to hear His praise for me keeps me going when I don’t feel like it.