In today’s world, in several
countries, including America, there is a societal push to win, to get out
ahead, to be number one, to “have it all”, no matter what it takes.
Now, while striving for
improvement and achievements are great goals that deserve being encouraged and
worked towards, we need to be careful to discern the intent. Is it for personal
growth and development, or is it to stand out to others in an effort to garner
praise and focused attention?
Life on this earth is
certainly not fair, because we frequently fall into humanity’s goals, desires,
and perceptions —-who is the most popular, the smartest, the fastest, the
strongest, the prettiest, the richest, the most favored by the boss or teacher.
The problem with this belief
system is that it wreaks havoc on everyone. Everyone is in a race to the be the
best. What happens is a false sense of security for those that do fall into
“being the best” categories, and a lower self-esteem for those who don’t.
What often goes unrealized is
that “the best” is just a temporary place. Tomorrow, next year, next decade,
etc., someone else will be “the best,”
and those previously in those categories will quickly be dismissed as
society’s new best honorees replace them. It is a very vicious cycle.
Now, let’s look at the above
versus how we were originally designed:
God created man and then
woman. He created man to have dominion over animals and the land. He created
woman from the rib or side of the man. This meant that she was to be
beside him for support and encouragement—not above, below, in front, or behind
him, but by his side.
Man was also given authority
over the household, but with authority also comes responsibility.
Responsibility as a leader, a role model, and a protector. Authority does not
equal ownership, dictatorship, or absolute power over others. It does equal
responsibility and rising to the requirements of the same. So, men and women
were created each with their own individual roles and responsibilities, but to
support and encourage each other side by side. No winners, no best, no number
one.
God was already number one.
“You shall have no other gods before me”—Exodus 20:2. This is made abundantly
clear in many, many verses throughout the Bible. "'Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength
and with all your mind'—Luke 10:27.
God knows us better than we
even know ourselves. He knows our daily comings and goings. He knows how we
work, how we behave, everything. His desire is that we serve Him and allow
ourselves to let Him work through us, utilizing our God-gifts to the best of
our abilities according to His purpose. What is the purpose? “Love one another
as I have loved you.” —-John 13:34. Not to be the best in any category of
humanity, but only to be the best you that you can be.
In the end, we are all His
children and adored and cherished equally. We are all winners with no one
standing at the top with a gold medal, certificate of achievement, trophy,
riches, luxurious homes, cars, or otherwise.
Just beautiful, beloved men,
women, boys, and girls, standing side by side in His sight and His heart.
All honor, glory, and praise
be yours, oh Father Almighty. Amen
by Laurie Moulton 10/25/18
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