Presidential Award

I was excited to go for this Presidential Fitness award. Two months of preparation. I was in it to win it.

My 4th-grade teacher announced a special Presidential Fitness Award to anyone who could pass some P.E. challenges. We only had to do pull-ups, run, jump, throw a ball, and situps. We would get an actual certificate signed by the President himself. She said it was in a couple of months, and we could sign up after class. So I did. It sounded like stuff I did on the playground every day. In P.E. class, the coach expanded on required repetitions and time limits. I was not ready.

Cue the Rocky montage, I started exercising every day. At first, I flopped around like a fish doing sit-ups. I could hardly do three pull-ups. I got winded easily while running. However, the chance to get a signed Presidential certificate sounded like what they give war heroes and astronauts. I was in it to win it. After a few weeks, my reps went up and my times went down. I was getting blisters on my hands from the pullups and on my backside from the sit-ups. I could sprint to the bus stop without breaking a sweat, and broad jump like a frog. I was ready.

The big day finally arrived. I saw new people on the playground, probably the presidential fitness scouts. If I did really well, maybe I could even meet the President.

The first event was pull-ups. No problem. Next was the standing broad jump. Easy. Then situps. I was the first one done. Over to the shuttle run. Blazed through it. And finally, the long run. I wasn't first, but I wasn't last. Unexpectingly, I was called over to throw a ball. Forgot about that one. After 2 hours of exercising, their softball felt like a bowling ball in my hand. I wound up and flung it in the direction he was pointing. Not far enough. He said since I passed all the other challenges, I had one last attempt.

I took a few steps back, ran forward, and threw the softball with everything my 55 lbs frame could muster. Still, not even close. I was devastated. I had dismissed practicing throwing a ball. How hard could it be? What did I learn from this? I dislike softball. And I should have paid attention to all the rules. Not just what I thought I needed. What seemed the easiest challenge of all, was the one that brought me down. No Presidential certificate for me.

So it is with keeping the commandments of the Lord. Most of us will not kill people, but do we still harbor hate in our hearts? Most of us will not worship golden idols, but what else do you spend your time worshipping over God? Most of us will not commit adultery, but what do you dwell on? You get the idea. Christ gave us the higher law through His Gospel. It is an upgraded perspective and approach to life, to bring us closer to God. Be wary of your small dismissals or allowances over time. It may be that one thing you are reflecting on right now, that keeps you from your ultimate reward in Heaven. Be in it to win it.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.

The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today.