25 Nov, 2008
College Football's Unusual Trophies
Through the years, certain college football rivalries have determined that the winner of that battle would be awarded particular trophies. Many of them have turned out to be quite interesting! The prize pictured above is a pig named Floyd that has been given to the winner of the game between Iowa and Minnesota since 1935.
Other famous, yet strange, trophies include little brown jugs, wagon wheels, a platypus trophy, Paul Bunyan's axe, bronze boots, golden eggs, ironed skillets, spittoons, milk cans and even a turtle named "Illibuck" that has gone to the winner of the Illinois and Ohio State game since 1925!
To see pictures of all of these amazing trophies, go to http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1149018/1/index.htm?bcnn=yes
You won what?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)
What does God's Story scripture teach us about winning prizes?
The author of this passage of scripture is Paul, who endured great trials for the sake of Christ and had amazing discipline as he lived out His faith. The reason he was so determined was because he was chasing after the ultimate prize...an eternity with Jesus Christ. It's safe to assume that Paul wouldn't have been willing to endure all that he went through if a pig named Floyd was the object of his pursuit!
But because this prize that he chased after was worth it, he encouraged us to go into strict training. This means being disciplined in our choices. This means being in the Word every day. This means exercising self-control in our lives. This means letting go of anything that will get in our way of receiving the prize!
Paul also encourages us with this truth...the prize we are seeking is eternal! It will never fade. Eventually, every trophy or award you will ever earn will be gone...except one...pursue it alone.
How can we connect today's story and God's story to my story?
- Train yourself...every day...without exception...as one who will let nothing get in the way of seeking Christ. Every athlete loves being on the award stand, but the only ones who get there are the ones who are also willing to be disciplined in their daily training regimens. Part of our training is getting more and more familiar with the "play book" that God has given us. Have you studied it today?
- Keep your focus on the prize. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 10:23 calls us to hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised it is faithful. This world has a lot of "trophies" to offer (popularity, the right guy or girl, the best clothes, the perfect job...) None of them are worth comparing to the only reward that will never fade away.
How can we connect today's story, God's story and my story with their story?
- If you ever are blessed enough to win an award...whether on the athletic field, the academic arena or in the arts...it is a perfect time to give God glory for the abilities He has entrusted to you. It is also a great opportunity to help others understand that, though you are honored to receive the award, you know that it will one day be gone. Then you can explain the eternal prize you are pursuing!
- Think about the friends you are praying will know Christ at some point...what earthly prizes are they chasing after? They probably aren't as silly as a turtle named Illibuck, but if it's the important thing in their life...connect with them there! Take interest in their garage band, their school play or the next game they are in. Love them where they are and pray that God will help you point them to the eternal prize in the context of that relationship.
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