A couple of weeks ago I accomplished something new. I received an elite status with American Airlines.
Now it's just gold (which in ad-speak is always the lowest form of reward) but still--faster boarding, quicker access to first class seats or exit rows. I have always been a big Southwest guy, but living 15 minutes from DFW airport has forced a change. We'll see how that works.
But it made me think about how we approach God. Most of us--espesh those of us who grew up in church--have a hard time understanding that there is NO elite status with God. God doesn't give bonus upgrades to us to reward behavior he likes. How many times have I expected to be bumped into first class with God because I've been particularly good lately? Read my Bible every day, giving generously, sharing the kingdom message, voting Republican, attending church, etc, etc.
God has a first class, but it seems to be reserved for orphans, widows, prostitutes, tax-collectors and especially for martyrs. His first class is given out solely on the basis of what brings him glory.
So the next time I think my relative goodness gets me up to the front of the line in answered prayer, I should remember that there are 143,000,000 orphans in the world who just might be ahead of me.
2 comments:
You could also look at it quite to the contrary . . . back in the old testament God was someone that traveled along with the Israelites by cloud and pilar of fire, he was in the burning bush for Abraham, on top of Sinai for Moses, a name that couldn't even be mentioned by his own people. The wonderfully amazing thing about our lives as atoned Christians is that God has chosen to dwell in each of us, and his Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of that holy presence. So in a way, you could make the case that we've all been moved up to "platinum" status . . . we're not just passengers, we're the vehicle itself.
I do like looking at it that way too, Tom. We all have access to the throne through the grace brought about by Jesus' sacrificial death. I just don't want that to become a "right" for me...
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