I love seeing the flight data on the screen… it is nice
to see where we have been, where we are going, and how we are getting there.
All of that does have a point (beyond just that it is
cool information); we have stats in the sports world that bear witness to how a
player performs and stand contrary to opinion. Proof in point, as I was
perusing Facebook last week I saw LeBron haters calling him LeBum in the
status. This is a very common occurrence, that I must admit is often brought on
by LeBron’s tendency to be overdramatic… yet the reality is that this is a guy
that is considered one of the best ever by his peers (even though the average
internet commentator believes he or she carry more weight.) This is a guy that
has stats that are off the charts… and a guy that is now getting ready to visit
his 6th straight NBA Finals. I know, I know the haters are going to
say, “but he doesn’t finish it off like MJ did.” Well I’m not writing to debate
LeBron vs MJ; I happen to think both are awesome… but I will say that in
LeBron’s defense, he has still done it with key teammates out or not at 100%...
he has been consistent.
Now back on point… the fact that his peers notice his
greatness, the stats bear witness to his greatness (couldn’t resist the “witness”
reference)), etc. I’m not saying you have to like him (guys like Tim Duncan
should be in the mix of this discussion as well, and he is truly likeable), but
I’m saying the stats don’t lie!
The same is true for us in our faithfulness before the
Lord. First of all let me make clear I am talking here about our work (which
means not that which saves us! But instead what we do out of gratitude for our
salvation… since Jesus did all the work for that!)
As believers we are called to serve the Lord and “each one’s work will become clear; for the
day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will
test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which has been built
on it endures, he will receive a reward.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-14)
In other words the rewards are for those that endure, not
necessarily for those that win a season championship… In fact if one were
looking at Paul (the human author of the verses mentioned), one would have to
assume he wasn’t doing very well because he was struggling to get “wins.” In
chapter 4, verses 10-13 he states that he and the apostles are “fools… weak… hungry… thirsty… poorly
clothed… beaten… homeless… reviled… persecuted… defamed… the filth of the
world…”, yet he said they “endure.”
4:2 says, “Moreover
it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” There is something
to be said for consistently putting up “great numbers” in spite of how “the
game” is going…
In the words of an old Steve Greene song, “may those who
come behind us find us faithful.”
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