Being a trophy

​A blessed day to all
There are times when we are going about our day in a routine fashion when something we come across impacts us in a meaningful way.  This occurred to me this week during my reading.  I am blessed with the opportunity to spend more time among my books that your average bear.  The preparation of sermons, lessons, trying to stay informed, and always seeking to find books that will enable me to improve in ministry, allows me to read quite a bit.  I am always finding treasure nuggets in what I read as I go through my day but every now and then, something seems to stand out a bit more. 
I came across a phrase: “You are a trophy of God’s grace”.  As the words sank in, I could do nothing but stop what I was doing and begin to thank God for His love and marvel at the awesome reminder of His grace that was driven home by that sentence.
Many of our generation often joke, or complain, about the ease with which trophies are given out to kids today.  With the noble intention of enhancing children’s self-esteem and promote a sense of inclusiveness, we have eliminated the significance of what trophies stood for in our time.  A trophy represented a significant accomplishment. It was a recognition that the one whose name was on the trophy had worked hard and had demonstrated discipline and talent. 
Those who have trophies that were earned, rather than simply given, can look at those trophies and recall what those trophies cost. They remember the hours of practice, the sacrifices made, and the effort required to win those trophies.  It is along those lines that the significance of the words, “You are a trophy of God’s grace” penetrated my heart.
I imagined Christ looking at us as His trophies lined up one after the other and saying to the host of heaven, “That trophy cost me a flogging”; “That trophy costs required me to wear a crown of thorns”; “That trophy was won by having nails driven into my hands and feet”; “That trophy was won when a lance was driven into my side”.
We are not “participation trophies”. Christ worked hard, demonstrated discipline through obedience, and gave all to win us.  Let us never forget the cost of us being trophies of His grace.
Have a blessed week, Vic