Everyone is not a Winner
Keys to Winning
My photo of Shinzen Friendship Garden in Fresno, California
Everyone is Not a Winner
I don’t like “Everybody’s a Winner” when some are working very hard, others aren’t trying, some don’t care, and some are cheating.
“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone…” Revelation 21:8
While it is true that everyone is loved and everyone has potential for greatness in various ways, it would be great deception to believe we all “make it”.
Merit-Based Change
In my life, being “forced” to step up made me realize I can do more and do better. “Forced” may have been a manager, employer, or just being tired of failure. Having to meet requirements rather than taking a shortcut has made me stronger and allowed me to have higher standards than I previously thought possible for myself.
None of this growth was overnight, but a gradual awakening. Overcoming is victory, which is defeat of an enemy. We are called to not tolerate or compromise but overcome pain, rejection, self-contempt, pride, and sin.
"To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" Revelation 3:21
The Bible teaches us to overcome. Look up “overcomes” in the book of Revelation.
The Humble Repent
Foremost in growing is admitting error rather than defending error. Dishonesty is not victory and dishonesty is not learning.
Forgive Yourself
The Bible also says love others as you love yourself, which is not “love others instead of yourself”.
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39b
In the long-run, it has been so important to keep forgiving myself as I learn my shortcomings. This attitude has allowed huge growth through the decades. Without seeing my own effort, as if I was my own friend, I would have quit or condemned myself.
Forgiveness is not a Lower Standard
Forgiveness is never about lowering standards for God. Forgiveness is about starting again but slightly smarter, slightly stronger, more humble, and more determined. Forgiveness can remove the handicap of bitterness, anger, or shame. There is a right way to build character growth.
God’s Character Recipe
I personally love how God wants strong, loving people that are wise and humble. What a great combination: humility and wisdom, strength and love. This has become the model of human I revere, and the Bible has developed my appetite for such heroes.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Having said all that, it has been puzzling to me why God has been urging me into a greater acceptance of myself to embrace greater contentment. I know He does not want me to lower my standards.
Merit and Love
Working harder to do better is a real path to greater achievement but our heavenly Father’s love is not earned.
Any father will discipline when any child does wrong, acts foolishly, or quits caring. That is not rejection, it is love. Correction from a father is also an important part of the relationship.
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6
A father loves when a child is happy, genuinely loved by others, and enriched by their father’s love. Can life get any better than that? This is God’s goal knowing discipline will help us achieve this.
So while I seek to achieve things in this world, God urges me to see the multitude of blessings in my life. While working to grow and achieve, it is as though God is asking me “Can’t you be thankful, fulfilled, and content on your journey?”
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This is God’s wisdom teaching me to not withhold joy until I reach enough achievement. God does not deprive us of joy while we are growing, being disciplined, and working hard to get to the next “thing”.
Achievements may get me more recognition and also make me feel good about myself, but it does not make me more valuable in God’s eyes. Obeying God will lead to greater joy and peace but it never earns more love from God. God is already lavishing upon me great favor, mercy, and love all these years.
Much to Gain but Nothing to Prove
If I remain insecure in my worth, I am not fully believing what Christ's death for me represents. What God has invested with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is for God and I to be together forever; There is nothing I can add to that extreme love and value. How am I worth this? I say I am not worth it but God says I am worth it to Him.
My good works should be the fruit of my joy, not a price I pay to earn God’s love.
How tender God is to lead me to a productive life but like any good father, my happiness is important to Him. His commandments are for my good always and God has wonderful plans for me.
These may seem like small details, but for me they have been life-changing and extremely important in seeing who God is, and what He wants in His relationship with me.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9