HORSE RACE TO THE BOTTOM

 I think God would have me share from my journal...

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"a crown was given to him. and he went forth conquering" (Rev. 6:2)

At any rate, superiority over other men--a crown of conquest--is what the natural man would possess. Altho' the law of love tells us to seek to dive down to lift others up, it is the exact opposite the natural man seeks. He wants to be the best he can possibly be; he wants to succeed. His formula for success is to reach the top and to attain a "crown"...A Nobel Peace Prize? A Gugenheim? Perhaps not so big. A promotion? Simply a scholarship to a respected institution? "Superiority" is perhaps not the word I'm looking for. Praise? (Dare I say it: adoration/worship?) Individuals want it to be said "I made a difference," want to be remembered above others.

The race to the bottom to provide encouragement on which others can rise and find the life of God--have we not forgotten about our need to do so? It is when we do so and wear stripes and scars, not badges, ribbons, and trophies of honor, that God will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matt.25:21)

This is an illustration I drew in '85 when we were finishing up our deputation and coming to Japan as single missionaries with Baptist Mid-Missions, but clearly illustrates our Race, I think, so thought I'd post it here.

Are we obsessed with making God's Love known such we let our dreams get crucified in obscurity and our pride shamed? Then can we know what it is to say, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Lk.23:46) And would not God Himself respond, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." (Mk.1:11)

No; His Honor does not NEED our defense. But let us give all for Him in expression of our love for Him. In a rerun of the T.V. program, "Little House on the Prairie," a small illustration of this was given. Laura Ingalls gave up her treasured horse to Nellie Olsen in a trade for a stove for her mother.

The mother's first response was to say she couldn't let Laura give up her horse; she loved that horse! The father intervened: she loved her mother more so not to ruin it; let her give the gift. God often lets us honor Him with gifts He does not need to let us express our love for Him. (Of course, in this case, Laura's mother really could use that stove!)

...give up all for Christ? I can't even give up watching videos or doing online jigsaw puzzles--sigh.