25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NKJV)
Recently, I had the chance to watch a little T.V. without my children. I settled on a marathon of the T.V. One series Unsung. I’ve always loved documentaries and music, so a two for one would be great. After about three episodes it began to feel as if I was watching the same story with different characters. Individuals from bygone eras, as well as the recent past, that had lost everything to alcohol or drugs or both, strings of failed marriages, broken friendships, bad business dealings and so on.
Those that were able to survive the industry and the blows that life had dealt them all seemed to be making feeble attempts to resurrect the glory of their withered careers. Most of them struggled to sing with voices that should have been in retirement long ago. My heart went out to them.
The more I began to reflect on their stories, the more I realized that they were not much different from the rest of us. None of us can live on the “glory” of our past. Like it or not, “yesterday’s slam dunks don’t win today’s basketball games.” We have to have more than that to hold on to.
Most of us, I suppose, have received a few awards and accolades at one point or another. Somewhere along the way we have experienced the thrill of that momentary applause and recognition. But time passes, memories fade, people change. Life moves on. And those diminished accolades, as Paul so aptly stated, are, in reality no more than a “perishable wreath.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)
The tough economic times that we now live in have caused many to reevaluate their lives. Those that once held enviable positions are now unemployed. Huge amounts of debt were amassed in order to keep up with the Joneses. For many, the American Dream seems farther away than ever before. Many have been forced to reevaluate their definition of success and self worth, and rightly so.
Hopefully, we are all reevaluating our definition of “success” and “self worth,” and coming to the realization that there is more to life than attempting to hold on to a temporal prize.
Mother Teresa once said, “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.“ Her faithfulness to God is her success. Shouldn’t we measure our successes in light of our commitment to discipleship?
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Paul understood that one day when he stood before Christ, what would count would not be his earthly “success,” but the lives of the people that he had invested for the sake of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Like a good shepherd, his maturing flock had become his hope. His joy. His glory. His crown.
If you were to examine the secret desires of your heart, where does your hope, joy, and glory really lie?
Follow Us!