Remember who you are
Hello Saints,
The Olympics are on - That event that is so designed to elevate the human spirit and propel man and woman to glory and honor. It used to be wholesome television, but is now plagued with scandal, glorification of sin, and problem after problem as the focus is more about entertaining than rewarding hard work. I must admit that I lost interest many years ago when it became driven by money and politics. The pride of man drives one to desire to be acknowledged and recognized for one’s achievements, as jealous onlookers cheer their favorite representative to victory or defeat. We love to elevate our heroes and ignore the “zeros”. Some may question or criticize my cynicism, but to be a follower of Jesus is to belong to an upside-down kingdom where the humble and contrite are lifted up and exalted to the highest place as they acknowledge their weaknesses and failings and run to the mercy of a loving God to rescue them from their sure destruction and doom. We don’t train to be great; we train to be nothing so that our King, the One who saved us from ourselves, might get the glory. God does not reward the physically strong and fast, but God chooses the foolish, the weak, the lowly, and despised so that our boasting might not be in our achievement but His (1Cor. 1:27-31). Thank God that I qualify to run the race! I am not driven by a medal or a podium, nor world recognition. I don’t waste my time training and straining to hopefully get a shot to stand on one of the three-levelled podiums, only to realize that I failed and now nobody knows who I am – all that work for nought! God knows me…everything about me. He chooses me despite my faults. My worth is not based on my achievements. Actually, apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5) – yet He still chooses to shower me with love and blessings – I am what I am because of Him, not because of me…that is so freeing! I don’t have to prove myself…Jesus has proven me worthy because of what He did in my place – He did what I could not do (Rev. 3:4-5)! His victory is my victory, as I am victorious only in and through Him (1Cor. 15:57). I don’t get to ascend to the podium, but I am seated in heaven with Him, far above all earthly pursuits, so that He might show off His grace and mercy towards me (Eph. 2:6-7). I may never get to meet queens and princes and world leaders for my achievements, but because of Christ, those who allow Him to win the victory on their behalf, are elevated to king and queen status and serve as royalty in the courts of our Lord (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). Followers of Jesus reign with Him (Rom. 5:17) and can go boldly into the throne room of the King of the Universe because of Him (Heb. 4:16). We’re not chasing worthless medals, but a crown of righteousness awaits us as we long to see our King (1Cor. 9:25; 2Tim. 4:8). I have met and heard from many involved in the athlete’s pursuit of prize and recognition, who came to realize that chasing their human desires has left them empty and broken. Running to win an earthly reward may have momentary satisfaction, but chasing after that which lasts unto eternity is of far greater value (John 6:27). Let us remember that we are in a race, an endurance marathon, with a Coach who cheers us on to the finish line, who has already won the race for us. Actually, how many times has He picked us up and carried us when we could no longer run? Our job is to not quit, but keep running, remembering that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us: “I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven” (Phil. 3:14 NLT). Our job is to also keep ourselves in good spiritual shape and our bodies pure of the things that would impede our progress - holiness through discipline is our standard. And of course, we must put the right food (the word of God) into our soul to get the necessary nutrients we need to stay spiritually healthy. Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1Cor 9:24-27). So let us encourage one another to keep our eyes on Jesus and run with endurance the race set before us (Heb.12:1-2), knowing that despite all the obstacles and things that may trip us up, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us (Rom. 8:37). Press on Friends! Remember who you are and whose you are!
Have a great run with Jesus, as He gets you closer to the finish line.
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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