The wreaths that last

Scott Harman July 29, 2026 6 0

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1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 (NIV-UK)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Do you know what percentage of people become professional athletes? I wish I could make you guess and click to a different page before revealing the answers.  

Go ahead and guess.

Lots of people think they are going to make it, but not many do, and even fewer understand how hard it is if you actually get there.  

According to the Georgia Career Information Center at Georgia State University, only 1 in 16,000 high school athletes attains a professional career as an athlete.  Even among those who attain high levels of achievement, becoming a professional athlete is still incredibly rare. In my home state ice hockey is very popular. We have 55,000 youth playing hockey in our state. About 2,800 will be playing in high school in a given year. About 12 of those will eventually become professional hockey players: 0.4%.

It’s really hard to be the best of the best.  

This passage was one of the first that I was drawn to when I first began to believe in Jesus. I was always in sports as a kid. I was never the best. But sports helped me understand what it meant to give my best. 

The great thing about the Kingdom of God is that God loves each one of us intensely, even though very few of us will be like Lionel Messi. We’re already pro in God’s Kingdom! We are all in direct relationship with God! God is your number one fan!  

What metaphorical ball do you need to kick into the back of the net today? What does doing your best for God look like today? Do you need discipline? Is there a habit you want to change, or end, or start? Maybe it’s showing kindness to a neighbour? Maybe it’s calling an old friend on the phone?

Remember that for God, your best is as important as a World Cup penalty shot. It may not show on the telly, but for God it matters. 

Your best for God today is achievable! It’s not impossible, so go do it!

Prayer: 

Dear God, thank you that in your Kingdom we are the pros! I don’t need to doubt that I’m insufficient. You have given everything we need for life and godliness. So I can do my best for you today. Reveal to me what it looks like to do my best for you today. Is there someone that could use a kind word? Is there something I can learn?