March 26, 2026
My Bowling Trophies
2 Timothy 4:8 – “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
They stand on the shelf, gleaming reminders of moments of excellence—bowling trophies earned through practice, skill, and sometimes a bit of luck. Each one evokes specific memories: the perfect game that came together on lane seven, the tournament where everything clicked at just the right moment, the league championship claimed after months of consistent effort. These mementos mark achievements that once seemed tremendously important.
Yet sitting on the porch, gazing at these symbols of earthly accomplishment, a deeper perspective emerges. These trophies, however meaningful, represent fleeting moments of success in pursuits that ultimately matter little in eternity’s light. They celebrate abilities that diminish with age, commemorate events fading in memory, and honor achievements recognized by only a handful of people.
Paul understood this perspective shift profoundly. As a highly accomplished Pharisee, he had collected impressive religious “trophies”—education under Gamaliel, advancement beyond his peers, zealous defense of tradition. Yet after encountering Christ, he declared these achievements “garbage” compared to knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:8). His ambitions shifted from earthly recognition to eternal reward—not a bowling trophy but a crown of righteousness.
This crown differs from earthly accolades in every meaningful way. It doesn’t commemorate a single achievement but a lifetime of faithfulness. It isn’t awarded by human judges with limited perspective but by the perfectly righteous Judge. It doesn’t tarnish with time but retains its value throughout eternity. And perhaps most significantly, it isn’t displayed on a shelf to impress visitors but cast before the throne in worship of the One who made its achievement possible (Revelation 4:10).
Today’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me hold my earthly achievements with loose hands and fix my eyes on the crown of righteousness. Amen.
Reflection Question: What “trophies” have you been valuing above the crown of life?