Trophies

The other night, I was at the school cleaning. For two and a half hours, I cleaned the trophy case, and all the trophies in it. At one point, a thought came into my mind, and it went something like this:

"I'm cleaning trophies.....There is a story behind each one.....I am cleaning someone else's memories.
Behind each trophy there are people who are unnamed. Behind each trophy, is a story of the people who poured themselves out. There was sweat poured, blood shed, and tears cried."

"Who knows the joys that were behind it? Who knows the anguish endured? All the physical training, special diets, and late nights training. There was comradery and bonding. There was stress and disagreements."

"Behind each trophy, there was a coach, a team, and fans. There were practices, games, and tournaments. As the team advanced, the excitement increased. A score. A loser. A champion."

"The victors were celebrated. The coach exalted. The trophy awarded. They walk around proud. The trophy shows off their achievement. Then it's placed into the case, along with all the other shiny awards."

"5, 10, or even 20 years later, a simple janitor comes and dusts off the trophy. The names are unknown. The time spent is unimportant. All the effort behind each achievement is without recognition. The only thing that is known is what the end result was, nothing else - nothing more. Forgotten memories fill the case. What is the point?"

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So then, I asked myself - "What are my trophies?" Are they in material objects and goals? Or are they in my God, and the achievements I have in Him.

I ask you - "What are your trophies?"

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1 Corinthians 9:24 - "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. "

Philippians 3:14 - "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

The substance of life.

What is the substance of life? I’m having a hard time grasping it right now. Yes, I know that we have “life” in Christ. I know that we have the breath of God in us that He gave. I understand that God is the sustainer of all life. However, for some reason, I’m still confused. Maybe we’re supposed to be confused by all this.

I was at a funeral the other day. I was just running sound, helping out and stuff. But I glanced at the open casket. I glanced around the room. I try to read the face of the emptied tent – absolutely nothing. I peer through the eyes of those walk around in sorrow, looking for something different – I find hopelessness, but still life. Life is more than just electrons running through the body. Life is more than seeing, hearing, eating and feeling. It’s taken so quick. It’s taken so much for granted.

As I saw a young mother, holding her child in her arms, I watched her pass the man who wasn’t there. She stood there momentarily, looking for something. Not finding it, she took her seat. It occurred to me that there, for a brief second, life was almost summarized - Life in it’s newness, life at it’s peak, and then non-life.

Death – is it an event? Death cannot be a substance, but simply the absence of what was. Life doesn’t just leave, and death "moves in" forever. We start dying the moment we are born…

What a hopelessness one could have. I saw it in mass. A life that vanished. A search for a peace that couldn’t be found. Inside, they scream, “Why God?” or “Where’s God?” instead of “Oh MY God”.

Life. Death. Can I comprehend? Can I absolutely define? I only see the dividing line. I leave the rest up to the Most High, Devine!

15 things you learn as a poor single bachelor

1. Any color is your color when looking for furniture.
2. Every food becomes tasty, if received without cost.
3. Card-board is great for making sorting bins.
4. Paper clips are great shower curtain hooks.
5. Twine + cut and hooked bent hangers = shoe rack.
6. Twine + hooked bent paper clips = hat rack.
7. “No! Don’t through that chili can away, I can wash it out and use it as a cup!”
8. No matter how full you are, finish the food!
9. When there is no one to talk to, you start talking to your furniture and books.
10. If you hang up all your washed clothes everywhere in the apartment, you can save the dryer quarters for a whole other load.
11. Any job is a good job!
12. Lights? Who needs lights? Turn em’ off, save more money!
13. Toilet paper is on the top ten things to get when first moving into an apartment.
14. Having a church that will keep you encouraged is awesome.
15. Having a God that supplies all your needs, is even better!