Hi everyone,
So it’s been about a month since the Olympics happened, and this time around there seemed to have been a lot of controversy. I know, often when there is an event on the world stage, people will cause friction. They will stay stuff, disagree about stuff, and complain. They will voice their opinions and put down other differing ones. They will argue about how things just should be (in their eyes).
But in the midst of all the controversy, there was one event that caught my eye (and this is from someone who barely even cares about organised sports at all, let alone the Olympics). And that is… breakdancing. Now I’m sure you know what I’m talking about and perhaps even what I’m getting at.
Well, there was one contestant who most people didn’t feel really lived up to the whole “Olympian” image. Even if you aren’t into breakdancing or have seen a breakdancer in your life, you likely would have been able to pick out who I’m talking about.
The thing is, while the entire internet might be putting this contestant down, they were probably a lot better at dancing than these naysayers. Sure, this contestant wasn’t the best at breakdancing per se, but they had their own spin on the style, and made it their own.
It’s just a shame that we like to judge. Granted, this is the Olympics, and judging is just part of its design. But I find that we bring that mentality into a lot of areas of life, not just with sports. But in our schools, in our jobs, even in our personal lives. We like being the best and we judge others who might not live up to our standards.
But I wonder how many of us who judge are actually the best? Or even second best? And how would we even qualify that? Thus, what gives us the right to say anything about anyone, really?
Here is a video of the readings for next week:
Jesus in these readings are telling us about what it means to be best. We all have our assumptions and views on the matter. In that mostly, we think that it’s just us because let’s face it, we are better than many in a lot of different ways. But I don’t feel like Jesus is actually telling us how to rank ourselves when he says to be first we need to be last. I don’t think Jesus is just changing the hierarchy of how we judge ourselves against others. I don’t think that Jesus is trying to burst our bubbles and say that we’re aiming for the wrong things.
Rather, I think Jesus is trying to abolish our thoughts of what it even means to be the best.
What I mean is that while the world might tell us that you need a certain score to rank, a certain level of performance to be rewarded, a certain prowess or skill to be considered, Jesus is actually saying that with God, none of that even matters. Because we are all, and I mean all, equally loved, equally regarded, and equally saved.
I’m not saying that we should try to do our best in life. I’m not saying that we needn’t improve or learn new things. I’m not saying that any and all accomplishments are meaningless. But what I’m saying is that God loves us, regardless of ranking or placement. God loves us, no matter what our skill set or level is. God loves us, whether we are first, last, or anywhere in between.
God. Loves. Us.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!