I am among the ranks of those who doe not like to lose. Whether it is
bragging about what a great deal I got, I paid less so I must be better, or how
the team I support is a champion, I must be smarter to support them, we are all
more competitive than we care to admit. And we find it in every area of our
lives, and at every age, social, economic, and ethnic group. We just don't like
to not win, we even call second place first loser, finally a first we will pass
on. But we will brag on how competitive we are, even if losing costs us, when
losing would be a benefit.
You can win in court, but never collect. You tell me, who won? A few
years back a football team won its second game of the year, and lost its first
round draft choice, it fell all the way to second. Did they lose by winning or
was it just fodder for some editorial written by someone who never played the
game? And with so many on some sort of government entitlement, did they win or
do they lose eventually becoming a slave to those that support them?
Did you know that whoever you owe money to holds power over you, and
ultimately control? A few years ago a friend of mine, a very successful
contractor had a loan called on him early, and had to default-and he ended up
losing everything. But talking with him was also free of the stress. And
because he was successful once, he would do it again, but on a scale that he
controlled, and didn't control him. Another friend years ago told me of the
magazine he worked for was at a dilemma, grow or risk failure. They were making
money, had a solid readership base, but the banks felt they should expand and
grow. They tried, but failed and today all those who once contributed to a
great magazine are still riding and writing, only the magazine is gone. OH, I
think the bank is still there.
I read today that the crisis of student loans is before Congress, a bill to
pay off the banks via another bailout, and in which by the loans being forgiven
we look like the debtors may win, but really lose, as the government takes over
more control of our lives. Pay attention also to the Postal situation. The
USPS , over $15 billion in debt and sinking fast in it, wants to go to a five
day work week, no more Saturdays, but Congress will not let it. They are being
forced to do business by some elected official, whom we elected, and wants them
to fail-the rank and file have been told this. So that Congress can bail them
out, and you guessed it, take over the mail system. Costing us more money,
providing poor service, and you make the call, did we win or lose? How does UPS
do it on a five day week, and make money? And we wonder why does the postman
doesn't still ring twice? Maybe soon not at all. Are bailouts the new going
postal?
Pride is a very subtle thing sometimes. Something we are not proud of. We
hate the word no, but don't realize how it often leads to better things. When I
lost my job at Mercedes Benz, it allowed me to ride Torches Across America, and
for my ministry to spread across the US of A. When I lost my last paying job,
it allowed me to minister full time, no pay, but with God's blessings we have
been able to do more with less, and bless more and get blessed more. Does God
just happen to know more than us? Every time the church came under conflict why
did the gospel spread? Were any of these events a surprise to Him? Or part of
the plan He has for us? When I was Life Flighted this summer, was He caught
unaware? But I look back at the miracles He performed in that circumstance, why
would I not trust Him again? So as I look at a friend and brother Jersey boy
going through changes, and resisting them and becoming depressed, I can see self
inflicted wounds. Go with it man-maybe God is rescuing you from a sinking ship,
only you can't tell! God may have a better ministry for you, but you need to
let go of the past-and letting go of the present doesn't hurt either. Maybe He
is protecting your good name by rescuing you from one whose reputation is
sullied. A ship you don't want to go down on.
Two times in the past I have had to make changes in fellowship and
ministry. Two changes that didn't come easy, and brought along stress and
heartache, for a while. But God rescued me from a sinking ship in one case, and
got me out before my name and reputation would be sullied by association with
it, today it is failing and should be put to sleep, only pride keeps it alive.
The second time God put on our hearts to change churches, after 18 years. When
we obeyed we became blessed way beyond anything I could expect, and now get to
worship in true worship, get taught at a depth I thought didn't exist, and
minister more, using the gifts God has given me, and being with other men who
encourage me, rather than trying to control me. And as this old church
flounders, I see how God rescued us out, and I pray they get right with God.
Denial is the first sign of pride-but Jesus also tells us that when rejected,
take your blessing and move on. We did and are, I hope my friend can bury his
pride and move on, before it buries him.
Too many of us still belong to the "I'll show you and be stupid club" not
realizing that when we choose God He provides guidance, and that our
self-control is exhibited by our choices. Bad choices will take away our
freedom, giving our control over to others. Something to pray about. And I
still don't know anyone who likes to lose, but to me a no from God means that a
better yes is coming. And in these trials I get to see more sides of Jesus that
before I would not have. I have seen a rejected savior by being rejected by a
ministry who turned me out, for telling the truth, and representing God instead
of the ministry. I have become hated by an old fellowship, those are their
words, because I dare to seek God, and not some self seeking pastor, or the
staff. And I sadly watch as so many follow a man, but don't follow the Lord.
And I'm the bad guy because I warned them?
God closes doors so we don't go through, or so we go through another. The
importance of being in the spirit. Competitiveness is just another form of
pride. Jesus never loses, even the death on the cross seemed like failure,
until three days later He rose. What price victory? The greater the victory,
the greater the cost-Jesus gave it all. Maybe your lack of success is based on
your competitiveness, and your not willing to step back and let God. Tradition
and pride can go hand in hand-don't let your epitaph read "We've never done it
this way before." Trust God, not man, and pray for those who need it-everyone.
And here is a thought, Jesus called Judas friend on the night He betrayed Him.
If He hadn't, He would have betrayed His own words, "greater love has no man
than to lay down His life for His friends." Jesus loves us till the end, and is
our friend. Even unto death, no matter the cost. I still call those who betray
and hate me friends. Pray for them, I do. For God so loved the
world....whether a friend or enemy, pray for those who come against you. If you
don't, well pride still goes before the fall...and winter, summer, and
springtime too.
And pray for me, just in case I'm wrong. Aren't you glad that god is
always right?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com