Well, I've finally decided to get a blog. Now everyone who cares enough to read my ramblings will get a peek into my odd mind. I will not promise a certain time schedule for my posts, for they will mostly be whims: thoughts that pop into my head and make the connection to the computer before they pop back out again. My posts will likely cover a medley of topics ranging from the hilarious to the serious: from the inane to the eternal truth. My prayer is that I write the truth in a manner pleasing to God for the edification of both saint and sinner.
My first thought for this blog came as I was writing the title for the post - "First!". Honestly, how many people, on how many discussion boards, must reply to a new topic with a post that contains no helpful information, nor reply to the question posed, but only declares to everyone else that by posting first they have somehow won a contest? Why do we humans find such a great need to compete? It seems that no matter what we do, the goal is to be the best: to take the prize. But what is the endgame to this rat race to the top spot? Excepting the rapture, we will all die, and then what will become of our accolades and trophies? Many people will have families who will tell of their accomplishments for a generation or two. Some exceptional people might be well known in there area for a couple more generations. I suppose the pinacle of enduring fame would for you to make it into the history books, so that you can be remembered long enough for some history student to curse at you because he forgot your name on his exam. But, what will you really care if in a hundred years someone you've never met forgets your name? So it's not your accomplishments that matter - it's your actions. Your actions when you don't think anyone is looking; your actions when when you're not looking for a prize. It's your actions that affect other people, and that effect will be much more enduring than any trophy. One final note: the Bible does speak of running to win the race, and of receiving a prize. The prize that it talks about is the ultimate prize - Jesus Christ.
Related verses:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:17
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Colossians 3:22
My first thought for this blog came as I was writing the title for the post - "First!". Honestly, how many people, on how many discussion boards, must reply to a new topic with a post that contains no helpful information, nor reply to the question posed, but only declares to everyone else that by posting first they have somehow won a contest? Why do we humans find such a great need to compete? It seems that no matter what we do, the goal is to be the best: to take the prize. But what is the endgame to this rat race to the top spot? Excepting the rapture, we will all die, and then what will become of our accolades and trophies? Many people will have families who will tell of their accomplishments for a generation or two. Some exceptional people might be well known in there area for a couple more generations. I suppose the pinacle of enduring fame would for you to make it into the history books, so that you can be remembered long enough for some history student to curse at you because he forgot your name on his exam. But, what will you really care if in a hundred years someone you've never met forgets your name? So it's not your accomplishments that matter - it's your actions. Your actions when you don't think anyone is looking; your actions when when you're not looking for a prize. It's your actions that affect other people, and that effect will be much more enduring than any trophy. One final note: the Bible does speak of running to win the race, and of receiving a prize. The prize that it talks about is the ultimate prize - Jesus Christ.
Related verses:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:17
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Colossians 3:22
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