Eyes on the Prize

The title Eyes on the Prize reminds me of a sweet story my wife once shared with me—one that touched her heart as a little girl and became a Christmas she would never forget.

Whenever her aunt and uncle came to visit, they would sometimes go downtown and enjoy one another’s company.  They would walk hand-in-hand, taking in the beautiful Christmas displays that filled the store windows.

There was one particular window display that captured the attention—and the heart—of this six-year-old little girl.  In the display was a beautiful joy bride doll, complete with all the frills.  To her, that eighteen-inch-tall bride doll was absolutely magnificent.

She wanted that doll so badly.  Yet, in her young mind, she understood that it was only a wish—a desire that would probably never become reality.  She could look at it through the glass, admire it, and dream about it, but she never imagined that it could actually belong to her.

Then came Christmas morning.

After the long anticipation, the brightly wrapped presents were finally opened.  And when she unwrapped and lifted the lid of the present her aunt placed under the tree, she could hardly believe her eyes.

“No!  It can’t be!”

But there she was—in all her beauty and magnificence—the little bride doll she had admired so many times in that store window.

It was like a dream come true!

What a surprise that Christmas brought to the heart of a little six-year-old girl.  And decades later, the memory still brings a smile to her face and a warmth to her heart.

I began to wonder: Could that Christmas surprise somehow help us understand something far greater—a gift from God that could touch our hearts in the same way and leave a memory that lasts forever?

I believe most everyone loves to be surprised.  There is something special about receiving something we never expected—something that brings a deep warmth to the heart.  A wonderful surprise becomes a memory we cherish.  Sometimes, just thinking about it years later can bring back the smile, the excitement, and even the increased heartbeat of that special moment.

As I began putting these thoughts on paper, one thing immediately came to my mind: the new birth.

Not the birth of my three amazing children, although each of their births was unbelievable and beautiful to behold.  Not even the day I stood before God and pledged myself, “until death do us part,” to the incredible helpmate He blessed me with—though she was certainly an answer to my prayers.

No, the greatest surprise of my life was something far greater.  It was the moment I experienced the new birth.  It was the moment when the burden of my sins, which I had carried for so long, was lifted from my shoulders.  It was the moment when joy unspeakable and peace beyond understanding filled my wandering soul.

I discovered that God had given me something to live for, something to cherish, and Someone to call Father—a Father who loves me with an everlasting love.  What more could I ask for?  My eyes had finally beheld the prize.

I found the One who had been missing from my life—Jesus Christ.

He was the gift I never could have earned, the gift I could never have purchased, and the gift I desperately needed.  Nothing and no one compares with our Lord and Savior.

The little girl looking through that store window could only dream about the beautiful bride doll.  She never imagined that Christmas morning she would lift the lid and discover that what she had only hoped for was now hers.

And isn’t that what God’s grace can feel like?

We come to Him carrying our sin, our failures, our disappointments, and our burdens.  We may wonder if there could really be something better for us.  Yet God reaches into our lives and offers us something far greater than anything we could ever see in a store window.

He offers forgiveness.  He offers peace.  He offers hope.  He offers new life.  He offers joy.  He offers a relationship with Him.  And ultimately, He offers Heaven.

The Apostle Peter captured this wonderful truth when he wrote: “Though you have not seen Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” (vs 9) “for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” — 1 Peter 1:8-9

We may not see Jesus with our physical eyes today, but by faith we can know Him, love Him, and experience the joy of His salvation.

So, do you like surprises?

There is a greater surprise waiting than anything we could ever unwrap on Christmas morning.  God’s greatest gift is Jesus Christ.

And when we turn our eyes toward Him, we discover that the greatest prize isn’t something we receive from God—it is Someone we receive.

Jesus is the prize.  Keep your eyes on Him, because one day, faith will become sight, hope will become reality, and the greatest surprise of all will be standing in the presence of our Lord and Savior forever.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Written by,

Papa Boyd