I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:4

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. –Ephesians 2:8-9

Award recipients will say they don’t work for awards. They don’t desire them. They don’t deserve them. But nearly all show up at the grand galas to receive them.

Awards come in all shapes, sizes, and types. There are trophies, titles, certificates, plaques, medals, badges, pins, and ribbons. Some prizes are noble. Others are golden. Nearly all are coveted.

Many awards are given solely for measurable achievement. The team with the highest score wins the championship. The student with the highest grade becomes the Valedictorian. The candidate with the greatest amount of votes is elected to office.

Other awards are based on a judge’s opinion. Judges review candidates, confer and deliberate and give their “yea” or “nay.” Achievement and aptitude may qualify a candidate for award eligibility, but the judge or judges make the final decision on who will be the ultimate winner.

Some of the most prestigious awards of all time include the National Medal of Science, the World Food Prize, the James Craig Watson Medal, the Polaris Award, the Faraday medal, the Hubbard Meal, the Templeton Prize, and the Kennedy Center Honors. The Grand Daddy of all awards are the Pulitzer Prizes for writing, reporting and public service and the Nobel Prizes, given for many fields and categories including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Peace.

Right now, it’s awards time in Hollywood, when achievement is recognized for acting, writing, directing and many other categories. In fact, every particular field is recognized with awards given and received no matter how unglamorous or insignificant they may seem. We have the Critics Awards round-up, the Writer’s Guild Awards, the Producers Guild Awards, the Director’s Guild Awards, the BAFTA Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globe Awards (albeit abbreviated this year), and the most coveted of all Hollywood awards, the Academy Awards.

When the recent Golden Globes occurred with little fanfare and no celebrity turnout, TV audiences groaned and scratched their heads. They missed the jewels, the dresses, the glitz, and the glamour usually associated with that event. Thankfully, the Oscars will go on as scheduled Sunday night with all the customary hype, pomp, parties, and circumstance. The public demands Hollywood royalty and they will get it on Oscar night.

Why do we give so many awards in Hollywood , and why do we watch them all? Why do awards resonate with us?

Is it only the winners who count? Is there such a thing as receiving an award for something we haven’t achieved? Yes. It’s called Grace and it’s the most wonderful award of all.

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