Reach for the stars. Climb the ladder of success. Be all that you can be!

Every day we reach for something: money, success, fulfillment, recognition, relationships, health, comfort, whatever. In all our reaching do we reach for a prize worth winning?

Jesus says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life…” (John 6:27). Paul shows us the “most excellent way” explaining that without love we are nothing and gain nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

Loving God fully is the only prize worth winning!

Are we reaching to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are we seeking to bring every area of life – our thoughts, our emotions, our time, our struggles, our desires, our activities, our finances, etc. – entirely under the perfect leadership of Jesus Christ? If this is truly the prize of life are we running in such a way that we might attain it? Are we consciously pursuing a life of 100% obedience to the Lord?

In session ten of a twelve part teaching series on the First Commandment Mike Bickle says, “The main reason we are on the earth is to decide to be in God’s family.” He goes on to explain that the next purpose for our existence is to determine the quality of love we will offer the Lord. God gives us extended years on the earth as an opportunity for each of us to receive a testimony of being complete in love through every area of life.

Is loving God our primary focus?

We contend for breakthrough in many areas, especially money, relationships, and healing, but God’s first concern is this issue of love. If we would focus most of our attention on getting a breakthrough in the arena of loving God I am quite sure everything else would follow. After all Jesus did instruct His disciples, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

The Lord started shifting my priorities in 2000. After three brief years pursuing a career in graphic design I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Within the next two years God healed me, but at the time my identity had become wrapped up in being a designer until God graciously stripped me of that idol. I redirected my focus to pursuing other passions such as teaching, travel, missions, dancing, singing, painting, writing, finding a spouse, etc. One by one, the Lord pruned each of the areas of my life that were distracting me from loving Him wholeheartedly. Like the wayward wife of Hosea my Beloved allured me into the wilderness where He spoke tenderly to me. I still struggle with running toward the ultimate prize of loving God and frequently wander off course, but during the past decade I have learned to return to my First Love more quickly each time He highlights an area of compromise.

Misty Edwards captured the essence of life’s purpose in her song “Let Me Love You More.” Consider these lyrics, “You could give to me the gift of walking on water. And maybe, maybe I will raise the dead. But I have one life to live and all I have to give to You is love.” This brief life is all about a love offering to Jesus. Even if we never see a breakthrough in temporary circumstances are we willing to become so consumed with the ultimate goal of pressing on for the prize of loving Jesus that this is all that really matters?

If we really believe that love is the “most excellent way” how can we possibly press on for any lesser prize?

Let’s run for the Prize of LOVE!

Cherie Blair