When you look at the photo attached to this message, which image captures your focus? Is it the male figure in the front with up-stretched arms in a victorious stance, as his torso collides with what appears to be a red horizontal "ribbon-like" line, assumably some form of marker? Or are you drawn to the "second" image, also appearing to be male? He too, like the first, leading with the right foot. However, unlike the first, his arms are not positioned upwardly, but outwardly at his side, quite indicative of one who is yet moving - and still in the run. As I look at the photo, I also notice a change in colorization. The leading image is a dominant black, and each subsequent image beyond the first is paler than its precursory counterpart. The colors appear to fade according to placement of each character, from black - to dark gray - to a palish gray. This is interesting, as it contradicts the term, "fade to black." Further note the positioning of the hands for the images in the rear, which appear to be downward, as in a defeated stance with their feet on the ground. The images seem semi-stationery; and if you look even closer towards the center, there appears to be a man standing between the others with his arms draped about their necks... Again, what captured your attention first, or better yet - who?
It is our human inclination to be drawn to the first and the boldest of all images. Rarely is our initial sight on the second or last - or the miniscule. Moreover, forget about the other images that exist beyond the inner circle of the first, which are mere background to man, anyway. However, which would you say God sees first (take a second)? I mean, think about what we are taught and how we are taught: "Ninety-nine and a half won't do!" "Second place is for Losers!" "Sloppy Seconds" or”Two is a crowd and three is an ambush!" We are taught that second place is "sloppy" and pales significantly in comparison to the first. We award and idolize those who finish first, while we demonize and ostracize their lagging counterparts, providing no positive recourse for their position of defeat. The second could have been equally as good as the first, yet her talents and expertise, as a result of her failure, relegates her to incompetence. "Better luck, next time!” We inform. Nevertheless, what if this was her "next time," as was the time before...?
Our secularized perception of competitiveness is quite damaging and dismissive, in that it inadvertently assigns unfavorable exclusivity to winning. This is done by mere usage of particular words as we labelize. To be crowned "the winner" - rather than "a winner," denotes exclusive otherness, which is experienced even in Christendom. However, God is not looking for the winner, but rather, a winner: One who faithfully runs and finishes the race. Furthermore, because God desires none to perish, contrary to the alpha personality of most winners, God is also - if not more willingly, searching the universe for losers. Throughout biblical text, God has proven His love for the loser - the second-winner or runner-up, if you will. He has permitted the switching of birthrights, wives, and kingships in validation of - the loser. He has paid tardy workers equally if not more than early risers, and has compelled fathers to celebrate the obedience of one wayward son, over the sacrifices of another. In so doing, God demonstrates the differentiation of His ways from ours, thus reminding us that divine favor is both non-positional and non-discriminatory. Twice Christ informed his followers of God's will in the dismantling of man-made hierarchical structures, and the re-positioning of their systems: "Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious that I am generous? So, the last shall be first, and the first last (Matt. 20:16); But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first (Matt. 19:30)."
Yes - God loves and sees the second and third images, the images that are least prominent in detail or dominant in color. He zooms in to the last row of runners as He ushers them along to the finish line. For Christ did not come to find the already found. He did not come for the free or perfect... The True Christ, is Christ of the underdog, the disinherited, the lost, and enslaved; the imperfect, broken, dis-eased, and poor... For blessed are the poor and broken-spirited... (Matt. 5:3-4). He is Christ to the adulterer caught in the act, the unclean and bleeding who dare touch His holy garment... What parent would give his or her only child as a pawn for such losers? Yet, Christ was and is given to those who have thricely denied Him; even to His betrayers.
So, take a second look at the photo, but this time, start from the rear. For the last is really first, and those at a stance of defeatism - marked as losers, are actually victorious winners at the finish line of redemption. Truly, this race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong... For that is just too predictable for an unpredictable God.
Declaration: I declare I am a winning loser who is also a losing winner. I have a purpose and place at the banquet table of the bridegroom. I am not perfect, but I am by faith, destined to perfection by a Perfect God who graciously looks beyond my sea of faults, in search of my many needs, all to God's glory and honor.
Prayer: Lord, enable me to see the beauty in my many losses, that even in my feelings of defeat; I recall your steadfast promises of victory. Strengthen and grace me for the race before me, that even in seasons of weariness, I will press toward the mark, with my face set like flint - on the prize.
SELAH.
It is our human inclination to be drawn to the first and the boldest of all images. Rarely is our initial sight on the second or last - or the miniscule. Moreover, forget about the other images that exist beyond the inner circle of the first, which are mere background to man, anyway. However, which would you say God sees first (take a second)? I mean, think about what we are taught and how we are taught: "Ninety-nine and a half won't do!" "Second place is for Losers!" "Sloppy Seconds" or”Two is a crowd and three is an ambush!" We are taught that second place is "sloppy" and pales significantly in comparison to the first. We award and idolize those who finish first, while we demonize and ostracize their lagging counterparts, providing no positive recourse for their position of defeat. The second could have been equally as good as the first, yet her talents and expertise, as a result of her failure, relegates her to incompetence. "Better luck, next time!” We inform. Nevertheless, what if this was her "next time," as was the time before...?
Our secularized perception of competitiveness is quite damaging and dismissive, in that it inadvertently assigns unfavorable exclusivity to winning. This is done by mere usage of particular words as we labelize. To be crowned "the winner" - rather than "a winner," denotes exclusive otherness, which is experienced even in Christendom. However, God is not looking for the winner, but rather, a winner: One who faithfully runs and finishes the race. Furthermore, because God desires none to perish, contrary to the alpha personality of most winners, God is also - if not more willingly, searching the universe for losers. Throughout biblical text, God has proven His love for the loser - the second-winner or runner-up, if you will. He has permitted the switching of birthrights, wives, and kingships in validation of - the loser. He has paid tardy workers equally if not more than early risers, and has compelled fathers to celebrate the obedience of one wayward son, over the sacrifices of another. In so doing, God demonstrates the differentiation of His ways from ours, thus reminding us that divine favor is both non-positional and non-discriminatory. Twice Christ informed his followers of God's will in the dismantling of man-made hierarchical structures, and the re-positioning of their systems: "Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious that I am generous? So, the last shall be first, and the first last (Matt. 20:16); But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first (Matt. 19:30)."
Yes - God loves and sees the second and third images, the images that are least prominent in detail or dominant in color. He zooms in to the last row of runners as He ushers them along to the finish line. For Christ did not come to find the already found. He did not come for the free or perfect... The True Christ, is Christ of the underdog, the disinherited, the lost, and enslaved; the imperfect, broken, dis-eased, and poor... For blessed are the poor and broken-spirited... (Matt. 5:3-4). He is Christ to the adulterer caught in the act, the unclean and bleeding who dare touch His holy garment... What parent would give his or her only child as a pawn for such losers? Yet, Christ was and is given to those who have thricely denied Him; even to His betrayers.
So, take a second look at the photo, but this time, start from the rear. For the last is really first, and those at a stance of defeatism - marked as losers, are actually victorious winners at the finish line of redemption. Truly, this race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong... For that is just too predictable for an unpredictable God.
Declaration: I declare I am a winning loser who is also a losing winner. I have a purpose and place at the banquet table of the bridegroom. I am not perfect, but I am by faith, destined to perfection by a Perfect God who graciously looks beyond my sea of faults, in search of my many needs, all to God's glory and honor.
Prayer: Lord, enable me to see the beauty in my many losses, that even in my feelings of defeat; I recall your steadfast promises of victory. Strengthen and grace me for the race before me, that even in seasons of weariness, I will press toward the mark, with my face set like flint - on the prize.
SELAH.