Word of the Week is "Reward" (Post #39)

"They’re sore from yesterday’s workout, tired, sleepy, and ready to go to back to bed.  However, they won’t, they refuse.  They are chasing a dream, and the dream of tomorrow, demands the work of today."

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So, the Wednesday Word of the Week is REWARD!

1 Corinthians 9:24, “You know that only one person gets a crown for being in a race even if many people run. You must run so you will win the crown.”(NLT)

Today, I’m writing and I’ll be honest… I’m not feeling it.

We are at Post #39 with this beloved blog of ours, I’ve got to be honest:  I’ve found a few days where my desire to share had grown thin.  There are days when I love connecting with you all and communicating with my #PIP family.  However, there are “other” days; days when I’m either flat or at least slow out of the blocks. 

Well, today is a flat day. 

However, here’s my comfort. 

On days like today, I don’t deal with how I feel.  Instead, I look towards the future.  I consider the results that I have in mind, if I remain committed to this blog.

• I think about the people who are helped.
• I consider the person who doesn’t feel alone in their struggle.
• I think about how important it is to empower people with the acceptance of their imperfection while striving towards perfection. 
• I consider the person who’s literally learning the Bible by reading these posts.
• I think about how therapeutic this has been for me.
• I consider my desired goal of being a prominent voice in the Christian bloggers sphere.
• I think about the power of my witness for Jesus Christ.
  
  

Yes, I think of all of that, and I find that when I am intentional in my forward thinking and subsequent attitude management, that slowly my work becomes “doable.” I mean the task is literally (and sometimes very slowly) eased when I envision the reward. 

Sometimes in life, you have to remind yourself of WHY you’re doing WHAT you’re doing.

• What’s your purpose?
• What’s your goal?
• Who are you helping?
• Who’s counting on you?
• How will your efforts bless others?
• Where do you see yourself in the future?
  
  

The answers to these questions should serve as your driving force; your fuel if you will.  And if they aren’t, then believe me when I say, that your assumed answers, are indeed the wrong answers.  You should then reexamine the questions, determine your truth, rehearse these thoughts, dig deep, and lunge forward towards the prize.
 
Imagine a runner, training for the Olympics.  Their event may only be 2 minutes long; however, their preparation for the race far exceeds that.  They will willfully invest years, preparing for a race that will undoubtedly end in minutes.  Why do they do it?  Because they look forward to the desired reward. 

They envision the joy of crossing the tape first.  Carrying their nation’s flag on a victory lap.  Being interviewed by Bob Costas.  Nike endorsements, Gatorade commercials, and being a guest on The Tonight Show.  They see the gold medal, national pride, they hear their national anthem, and their countries’ tears of joy. 

However, that’s just a vision, and the vision is not the reality.  What’s the reality you ask? 

The reality is this: it’s 4:30am and they’ve just completed a 1 mile warm-up run.  They’re sore from yesterday’s workout, tired, sleepy, and ready to go to back to bed.  However, they won’t, they refuse.  They are chasing a dream, and the dream of tomorrow, demands the work of today.

Message:  Work today, for the goal tomorrow.  And when you’re tired, repeat.

Lord, teach me how to hold on, just a little while longer. 

Your thoughts?  Inspired?  Upset?  Agree?  Disagree?  Let me know below.  Peace and love family.

Imperfectly,

​Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
@Imperfection360
@kevindjonessr