Congratulations go to the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team for winning the national championship game this past Sunday against Mississippi State! After months of displaying hard work, discipline, and teamwork, they received the ultimate reward for their labors. As the confetti fell on them and as they received their trophy, an uncontainable joy was written all over their faces. What a tremendous moment of celebration it was for the coaches, players, their family members, the fans and the entire university.
As beautiful as that moment was to watch, there will be another celebration that will take place at the end of time that will be far greater than any earthly celebration. When Jesus comes again and says in the Judgment to those who are on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” it will be a glorious moment! It will be a moment that will last not just for a little while but rather for all eternity! We will receive that crown of life Paul talks about in II Timothy (4:7,8). It is here that he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
As we celebrate the national championship the women’s basketball team from USC won this past Sunday, let us keep in mind there is a far greater celebration that will take place for all who have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith! With this said, there remains three questions to be answered by each one of us: Are we fighting the good fight? Are we keeping the faith? And are we willing to finish the race?