When it comes to recognition of the best of the best, medals are a big deal in the world of sports. Gold, silver, and bronze disks quickly identify an Olympic winner.
For team sports there is often a tall, heavy, shiny prize that may require a couple of athletes to carry. Golfers, too, can lay claim to a variety of hefty, elegant pieces guaranteed to fill substantial space in the trophy display.
And then there are the writers, singers, dancers, directors, and other performers who work hard for a plethora of statuettes, often handed out in fancy, posh public events and celebrations.
For better or worse, we often recognize success—and winning—at an early age. Students from kindergarten through post graduate study will likely have the opportunity to collect a myriad of ribbons, patches, rings, and bobbles that provide visible evidence of personal accomplishments.
Any way you look at it, seems we are a culture that wants to make sure those who achieve great [or even modest] success are rewarded with a physical reminder of their hard work and perseverance.
Nothing wrong with that for sure. And yet, from a Christian perspective, seems there is another kind of recognition that carries even greater meaning and substance:
“Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.” [James 1:12]
What gets my attention about this simple declaration is the way it clearly states the sequence of events in our life if we choose to follow the exhortation.
. . . Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation
My sense is James is referring to other things than resisting the temptation to grab the third doughnut from the box. How about these?
The temptation to whine or complain. The temptation to judge or criticize. The temptation to ignore important tasks. The temptation to put self ahead of others. The temptation to remain silent amid obvious discrimination.
And the list goes on.
. . . for when he has been proved
Our focus, then, needs to be on the choice to persevere through the frequent challenges to give in to the temptation and subsequently sin. No doubt, we also need a generous helping of grace and compassion from our Lord to stay the course in order to be proved. Proved? Found to grow and mature in our wherewithal to recognition temptation, however, not give in to the subtle draw to succumb to the wiles of the enemy, the flesh, or the world.
The promise to those who love God?
You and I will receive the crown of life. A life of eternal peace and joy.
The path won’t always be easy and we will slip and fall at times. Nonetheless, if we remember that perseverance is the key, we will brush ourselves off, get up, and resume our journey with a renewed fervor to make the loving choice.
In God’s economy, everyone who chooses to follow the wisdom and counsel set forth by James will be a winner. Everyone.
Do I consider myself a winner? Why?
How do I feel about God’s idea of recognition?
Do I need to ask God for the grace and mercy to persevere?
