Friday, April 4, 2008

Pretty?

I saw a portion of an interview with Sylvester Stallone recently. Have you ever watched the original Rocky movie? I love the now famous scene as Rocky stands triumphantly raising his arms at the top of the stairs. Those Philadelphia stairs represent the epitome of Rocky's successful finish to his training. Running up them to the song, Gonna Fly Now. Can't you just see and hear it right now! Arms extended upward as he stood at the top. Looking over the city. Knowing that he was ready. This was a man waiting to be crowned boxing champion!

Contrast that to our Savior's finish. Dragged through the city. Beaten repeatedly. Derided. Nailed. Can you see it and hear it right now?Arms extended outward. Hanging from a cross at the top of Golgotha. Looking over the faces outside Jerusalem. Knowing that He was ready. This was a man/Savior ready to be crowned. "It is finished".

Living in obedience does not always have a pretty finish. Our work is not always tied up in 2 hours of reel with beautiful music playing in the backround. Sometimes it is hard. And dirty. And difficult. Like feeding the children amongst the refuse of years of yesterdays in faraway lands. Or working in the pits of medical facilties to make sure that the forgotten are fed and bathed. Or searching endlessly for a home for a weeping unwed mother whose family has abandoned her.

It doesn't appear so picture perfect. But HE did it. And He calls us to it too. Want to be His followers? Then expect to get a little dirty. It may not be pretty but it is the most beautiful thing you will ever do! And the rewards? They are eternal!

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

9 comments:

nannykim said...

It reminds me of Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." An amazing God that would do this!

Susan Skitt said...

Good thoughts, doing God's work is not easy. I love that Bible verse. Deny myself and take up my cross and follow Jesus. That's what I'm learning to do by God's grace. That denying self is a tough one...

BTW - I live an hour outside of Philly and one day a few years back my husband, my son, and our youngest son who was still in a bike seat at the time met my brother and his wife (before their babies) and rode bike on the bike paths near the art museum. You know I HAD to get off my bike and do the Rocky run... (smile)

God's girl said...

That is a beautiful post. Thanks for posting that. I never thought of the comparison like that.
Much love,
Angela

Kim S in SC said...

Nannykim: Yes, I agree. What a Jesus we serve! 10 and 11 were my memory verses this past week!

Susan: How true. BTW: If I was anywhere close, I would attempt a good run to the top of the stairs too! (and then go in the museum of course!) :)

Angela: It is amazing how much HE was willing to suffer for us, isn't it. Blessings!

TMM said...

My life revolves around that verse.....Thanks Kim for reminding me.

I had written something on it long time back: Drop the corn...

Blessed be the name of the LORD!

Sidharth

Susan said...

Great post!!
Susan

Greg C said...

Wow that's a lot to swallow. Great point. I think a lot of us want to do the easy and clean parts of being Holy but stop short of the dirty parts. Great reminder.

Angie said...

Powerful. It sure opposes what the world teaches.

This verse comes to mind..."But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Kim S in SC said...

Sidharth: Thank you for visiting. I am always taught by your insights. ANyone visiting here should visit this young man's teaching site.
Penless: Thank you for visiting. Blessings!
Greg: To seek after His holiness!What a gift! What a life! Thanks for your insights!
Angie: Thank you for this verse! Our God is a mighty God . His work on the cross is more than sufficient for us all. Praise HIM!

"Weighting" on the Lord

Let this be a place of encouragement for you in your own walk!