I am not a fan of the latest habit that has developed over the past decade or so when, no matter how poorly kids perform in a sporting event, everyone gets a trophy. Don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, after all...right? Well, after a decade of propping these little folks up for even demonstrating interest, we've hit a point, statistically where they perform very poorly on every academic test known to mankind, except one...feeling that they'll do a good job on all the above-mentioned academic tests. Yep...we've raised a generation of "I feel special" folks. And, for all our earthly pursuits, it's just not working out too well. We've lost one important element when making sure that everyone feels good about him/herself--there is work involved that requires a great deal of self-discipline. Great soccer players don't just wake up one morning to find they have magnificent skills; great performers don't just start singing one day and have the skills of an accomplished artist. It takes training and a true sense of direction and dedication. The prize shouldn't come too easily, or the path to honing the skill becomes aimless and the work ethic is lost.
But leave it to God to figure out a way to have the best of both ideas...
In the three readings today, we see a different approach to winning and getting those trophies, prizes, and, as the reading mentions, crowns. But these aren't for soccer...this speaks of a different kind of earthly pursuit. This involves running the race to eternity. And, we can all get a trophy...but the same rules apply.
In I Corinthians, Paul speaks of this by telling his listeners that although many runners run a race, only one will get the prize and, more than likely, this winning runner has trained very strictly with that prize in mind. Alas, runners get older and are replaced by new runners who run faster; the prizes are fleeting. But the good news is that if we train and prep ourselves throughout our "run" through earthly life, we can all get a trophy--one that matters. The prize of eternal life. And Paul reminds everyone that this is not the "make everyone feel good about themselves" kind of trophy. Nope. He warns that ignorance won't even begin to work as part of the training; this winning won't just happen conveniently. He reminds the crowds that even when God led his chosen people out of Egypt covered by the cloud of protection, thus making the run to the prize that much easier on them, some still strayed, messed up, and didn't get to the finish line. We have no cloud of protection and at times the training will be exhausting; but what person that's ever trained for anything doesn't reminisce later that the pain was worth it?
And what about those who finally, near the 11th hour before the race is coming to fruition, suddenly decide to give it their all? There are trophies there, too--God's rules. Remember the parable in Matthew 20 of the vineyard owner who got up early one morning and found workers for the vineyard? He then went out later in the day, found more, and sent them to work. And, near the end of the day, he found yet more, and sent them to work, even though the day was nearly over. When it was time to be paid, all workers received the same pay. Why? Because everyone gets a trophy--even those slipping in at the 11th hour. In Christ's world, it's giving your all at some point in time; not necessarily being the first to show up. Everyone finished at the same time at the end of the day. That's what mattered; all were present when the "day" ended. Does that mean to go out and raise a row all your earthly life only to change at the last moment? It might, but do you know when your last moment will be on this earth? Didn't think so...better be wise...and while you're at it, humble.
How does humility fit into all this hard work and dedication? It's always the underlying lesson to us all. "This is what the Lord says, 'Let not the wise men boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord." These are probably the areas that most of us need the most training in anyway, I'm guessing. Humility is tough; it requires discipline and training to keep it in check.
But getting the trophy when all is said and done is worth the work, don't you think?
Peace be with you.
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