Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

OK, folks…

Here we are—doing still another day on planet earth. I fondly remember a role-model senior that we thoroughly enjoyed at Pheasant Pointe, even though he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s, who would often say, even in that condition, “We’re one day closer home.” He’s home now. What a neat way to view our inevitable terminus—death as the doorway to HOME.

I need to crank up my skid steer forklift in a few minutes to load four 10x10x20’ timbers onto a trailer for a guy coming to get them. After that—well, let’s just say there’s a lot to do.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Pay close attention here to the distinction between what a person can do to himself, and what he can’t do to himself. Jesus points out that he can EXALT himself—or he can HUMBLE himself—but he cannot determine or control the long-range outcome of those choices. My simple application puts it this way: If my main objective in life is all wrapped up in me, my, and mine—to accumulate a bunch of stuff and/or establish a high image for myself, I may get some favorable results for awhile, but the ultimate price tag plays out to be the exact opposite of what I’m really wanting. If, however, my main objective is to worship and please my Creator, recognizing that this is the very purpose of my existence, then I will choose to humbly and earnestly seek Him at every point. Jesus promises that this orientation will cause me to ultimately win benefits far beyond my wildest dreams and imaginations—like, heaven, like, eternal life, like who could ever achieve that on their own?!

Have you observed that it is a self-defeating impossibility to truly worship God with a big head?—with an attitude that says, “O Lord, you sure are lucky to have me on Your planet!”…or, “Lord, let me tell you how you ought to run things.” Oh phooey! Get it straight, you little flea. Within the Kingdom of God, exaltation (like happiness) is never achieved by seeking it. Therefore heaven is NOT a goal to be pursued—because that will contaminate the whole equation with more of ME—my comfort, my pleasure, my future, etc. Rather heaven is simply a wonderful byproduct of A HEART AFTER GOD—loving Him, serving Him, and personally seeking first His kingdom rule. “For thine (not mine, not yours) is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever” (Matthew 6:13). I hope you can say a resounding, “Amen!”