Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

When I was a young man and my body was still young and spry, I played football down on the farm at FCAHS. Some of the fondest memories I have were sharing the field with my teammates, bus rides to and from victorious road games, and the overall character growth experienced over the course of four years’ time. There is one thing I don’t miss. Practice. It could storm like the days of Noah, but by 7th period, the clouds would roll away, making way for the same sun that shone down on Dan Evans, while he waited to escort outlaw Ben Wade on the 3:10 to Yuma. We would report to the field house and begin putting our pads and gear on, enjoying the last fleeting moments of a fan upon our bodies before entering the summer heat. Once dressed out, we had about a ¼ mile jog down the practice field, which was hotter than the hinges of Hades. Upon arrival, we would get into lines and warm up, which would be the least active state our bodies would be in for the foreseeable future. From that moment on, it was an onslaught of collisions, grueling scrimmages, trying to perfect plays, and drills. I played middle linebacker at a very sturdy, 187lbs (sarcastically not sturdy at all). You had to be able to do everything from fight off big linemen to move like a gazelle into coverage, to defend against the pass, while simultaneously not actually being equipped to do any of that. You are facing the grown men in the front with calves big enough to kickstart a Boeing 747, or defend a speed demon looking to slip in behind you to catch a pass. We typically practiced for a few grueling hours. 

Just when you thought the suffering was coming to a close, we had one last hurdle at the end of practice - twenty 40-yard sprints with no breaks. This was the peak of our misery. With each passing sprint, you knew you were nearing the end of your suffering. It didn’t matter what was on the other side of those sprints; it was better. 

At the end of Hebrews chapter 10, we are told about the suffering endured in the early days of receiving the light. Hebrews 10:35 says, “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” We should ponder the superiority of God as our great reward. Hebrews 3:13-14 says, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” We must focus on the preciousness of the promises and help each other value, above all things, how great the reward Christ has purchased for us is. The main task of preaching, small groups, and all the ministries of the church is to help people see the greatness of what Christ has purchased for everyone who will value it above the world. All the suffering on the planet x10 will still be worth enduring for the reward that awaits us. Nothing of this world, no matter how much dopamine is dumped or how many endorphins are released, can compare to the riches of our reward in Christ. 

Working through practice as a team was brutal, but enduring it together made it doable. No matter how bad we suffered, the reward at the end was worth it, which was…well, anything but practice. How much greater will our reward in Christ be?

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a few moments to reflect on God’s promise and reward for us as His followers. Now, compare that to any suffering and persecution you are experiencing.
• Think of someone you can encourage and rebuild their confidence in the reward God has promised us.
• Read Psalms 63:3
• Prayer: God, let us never forget what You have done for us or what You have promised to us as Your humble servants. Help us to exhort one another and be a helping hand to lift up our brothers and sisters in hard times and remind them of why we trust in You and live for You. Give us resilience to fight against the wants and desires of this world and be satisfied with You. We love You. Amen.

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.