Edward Stevens is all smiles now that he has received his Air Medal nearly fifty years after his combat missions in Viet Nam. He never expected to receive the coveted award since the United States had for years denied his participation in the French's fight against the Vietnamese in the early 1950's. But since that has been made public and the fact that his son "fought for his dad's honor" to receive the medal, he finally did so in September of 2001.

I thought of this brave man, among others, who risked his life for our country by flying more than twenty secret missions into enemy territory with the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron. He went about his life as a teacher of Mathematics at Lanier High School in Austin, never expecting recognition, forgotten by country, but not by his son.

I thought of the Christian, who quietly goes about his or her daily life of faith, doing their duties of worship and service. We may think that nobody notices. God notices! The apostle Paul writes to his son, Timothy, as an old soldier of the faith. Death is imminent. He has been courageous in battle and writes, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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,"-2 Timothy 4:7-8. He had waited a long time, but looked forward to his promised reward.

But wait, there's more! Paul also writes to the Ephesian church about something which we many times overlook. Not only do the faithful receive a promised reward for their dedication to Christ, but there is a sense in which we also become His reward, His medal of honor, if you will. Paul writes, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…"-Ephesians 1:18.

How exciting it is to look forward to our "medal of honor" or reward, as Paul calls it. How encouraging it is to also know that we become for Christ a trophy, a reward, to display through the ages as those he has redeemed by his own precious blood! Yes, the faithful will have their reward, but, in you, Christ will too!