In sports we put our bodies through the wringer. We study game film, review game plans, and tax ourselves mentally. All of it is done so that on game day, we are prepared to win. To achieve victory, we battle our way over virtual mountains, following our dreams—to get to the pot of gold.

Do we follow the same routine in our faith? We rigidly “train” by reading our Bibles, praying, witnessing, and attending church. We compete in “games” when we face setbacks, difficulties, and temptations. And we often do it with a militant attitude of struggling to get to the final pot of gold—heaven.

I think we’re missing the point. God has not called us to battle joylessly through life just to get to heaven. He promised abundant life on earth through faith in His Son. By trusting in Him and drawing closer to Him, we can live out that pot of gold every day. True, heaven is going to be better than earth; but that shouldn’t take away from the joy made available to us now.

Jesus is so much more than a means to an end. Our daily lives should be lived for Him instead of using Him as a goal for future comfort. We should model Jesus every day, taking Him up on His offer for abundant life here on earth. When we do that, we will find that the pot of gold isn’t so far out of reach.