Galatians 6:3-4 “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
II Corinthians 10:12-13 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.”
Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The University of Massachusetts football team recently finished a dismal season. They finished without a win and ended at the very bottom of the power rankings. Yet, they weren’t above celebrating small victories.
Towards the end of the game against Northern Illinois, when they were losing 45-0, they successfully kicked a field goal. And they celebrated!
The stadium launched a barrage of fireworks to recognize their accomplishment, the band played their fight song as if they had just won the national championship, and a section of guys took off their shirts and waved them around in the November night sky (see my previous post). No doubt there was a healthy dose of sarcasm in their response, but it does teach us a few things that are worth remembering.
It is okay to celebrate our victories, particularly when they align with God’s will and are free of superficial comparisons. Consistent bits of small and steady progress are typically more impactful than inconsistent and erratic surges of success.
Yet, there is an important caveat contained in the sentences above – we must consistently align with the Lord, never growing complacent or satisfied in anything other than perfectly meeting His standards.
Doing so requires vigilance. Doing so requires yieldedness. Doing so requires humble determination and heavenly focus, realizing that we will never arrive at our destination this side of heaven.
Doing so requires a lifetime of pressing toward the mark for the high calling of God in Jesus Christ, never letting up but celebrating victories along the way.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO CELEBRATE FAITHFUL SUCCESS WITHOUT EVER LETTING UP IN OUR PRESS TOWARD THE MARK. Field goals, fireworks, and fight songs are nice, but the real touchdown is only in consistently pleasing Him!
