What matters

This morning my pastor told a story of when he was a young man he became interested in trail biking. He had to get a certain bike with certain accessories – and it was  important to have just the right helmet and stickers. He mentioned how we tend to seek status, importance with “stuff”. We are all guilty. Sort of like, “He who as the  most toys when he dies, wins.”  Why do we buy into that? It’s not conscious but I believe in our culture it is part and parcel of being and American.

When I was in college I remember wanting a certain kind of luggage. It was green with stripes! Yikes!

What is important today is not important tomorrow but yet we tend to strive for it. He looked at the Republican field…how quickly they come – and have gone. Bachman, Perry, Huntsman…by Tuesday evening it may be some one else that goes. So much hard work for each candidate and an obscene amount of money. I am fascinated by the process.

I happened to catch part of Viola Davis’ interview with Oprah. Ms. Davis is nominated for the best actress Oscar. She talked of wanting to make a difference. Make a mark in this world. She talked of how when she found success she was surprised by how hollow it was. So she and her husband adopted a baby. (She’ll soon find that child was born to make her feel inadequate!)

We all want to make a difference. I know when I was just a girl I wanted to write a book to have something to leave after me. Like a footprint to say, “I was here”.

But making a difference doesn’t lie in winning the Presidency. Or in winning an Oscar. Or having a child. Or writing a book. Making a difference lies in giving yourself away. To be first, you must be last. To live, you have to die. It goes against our nature…we find id difficult. Oh, we admire those that can do it: Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul….but we think it is beyond us. Is it? No, we can all give ourselves away. We must find a cause greater than ourselves.

Yes, we all agree – but  let’s be honest. Wouldn’t we like to serve as long as we have creature comforts at home? We’ll give the shirt off of our back as long as we have some in the closet. Jesus had nowhere to lay His head. He left all of the comforts and glory and pleasures in Heaven to come serve you and me. He served to the point of death. And what is to be our response? Every knee will bow. Let’s start practicing now!

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