This week Dustin and I watched the 2022 Home Run Derby where Albert Pujols participated one last time before his retirement from Major League Baseball. He has played in the league for over 20 years and has many accomplishments and awards, including five invitations to the Home Run Derby. It was obvious, he has also earned much respect and admiration from his peers. After his first round at bat, he was spontaneously surrounded by fellow players from all teams across the league. It was a beautiful moment as he received a standing ovation from people who respect him. I was moved, and said to Dustin, “Doesn’t everyone deserve a moment like that? One where you are surrounded by people who love you saying, ‘You did a good job!’ Maybe that’s what it will be like when we get to Heaven.” Dustin smiled.

The more I think about it, we have good reason to believe it will be like that in Heaven. We are told in the Bible that there is rejoicing in Heaven when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7). In Hebrews 12 it says that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses or those who have come before us, who set an example of how to live by faith. We can imagine those heroes of the faith cheering us on as we run our own race of life. We are told to throw off anything that weighs us down and hinders our race with Christ, especially sin. And to persevere and endure all trials patiently, knowing Jesus is with us. He is rooting for us, but more than that, He is right beside us helping us through. The Bible also tells us about crowns or rewards we will one day receive based on our faithfulness throughout our life (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10).

The Bible often compares our life to an athletic competition. In God’s marathon, we are not competing against other believers, but against sin and an evil world. We are racing tirelessly to show the love of Christ to those around us and help them come to know Him. It is important to know that we are not earning our salvation in this race. That work was done and completed by Jesus on the cross, and nothing we do will add to that. Instead, we work to show God we love Him, and that we want others to know that love too.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.  Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” We are competing in an intense competition for a prize that will last for all eternity. If athletes competing for an earthly prize must work hard, have self-control and integrity, how much more should we?

The Bible says our life is like a vapor, here today and vanishing quickly (James 4:14). What we do with our life matters, and the time goes by fast. If we are faithful, we will receive rewards. There is little doubt that when we each enter eternity, loved ones, heroes of history, and angels will be there with a standing ovation. But most importantly, the Bible says Jesus will be there. And he longs to say, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness,” (Matthew 25:23).

How exciting is it to think of that day…that standing ovation? It is a little motivation to get out there and run that race, even when it is hard or frustrating or thankless. It won’t be that way forever. You will receive the prize if you press on.

And by the way, Albert Pujols is a believer in Christ! He may just be in your circle someday saying, “You did a good job!”