Throughout our lives there are special, significant events that constitute what are called milestones. Often a milestone indicates a transition from one phase of life to another. Some of these include our first day at school, graduating from one level of education to another, marriage and retirement. Most of these milestones didn’t merely happen. They had to be earned. Usually achieving a given milestone takes both time and effort. Often their attainment involves sacrifices of one kind or another, some small and some great. It is because of the effort, the struggle, the perseverance and the sacrifices that our success at attaining the milestone is celebrated with such great joy.
Virtually every society, culture, institution and organization has celebratory rituals culminating the attainment of a milestone. Often these rituals follow some type of activity, trial or test by which the person seeking to achieve the milestone proves they are worthy of the new status. Those seeking membership in a fraternity or sorority pass through a period of trial as pledges. In various religious communities attaining spiritual adulthood is preceded by intense periods of study. Being accepted as an adult in some cultures involves proving your mettle through demonstrating a high level of knowledge and skill by surviving a period of hardship and deprivation on your own in the wild. All of these activities and tests are termed rites of passage. The American political arena, particularly during the primary season is a rite of passage from a would be nominee to the status of a political candidate for a particular office such as president. Successfully completing these trials entitles the person to enter the next phase of life or to adopt his or her new status. But there is one rite of passage that is far more arduous, far more important and far greater in its rewards than all the others, individually or combined. This rite of passage is life. By it we prove just how worthy we are to be admitted into the eternal court of the King of kings and Lord of lords as members of the most exclusive of clubs, the family of God. Membership in this gathering is granted only to those who have demonstrated their love and their loyalty to God by steadfast faithfulness, loving obedience and ultimate perseverance in the face of the most adverse conditions, the most arduous of trials and strongest of foes.
As I write this, the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing have recently concluded. Being part of a nation’s Olympic team is a great milestone and all the athletes who participated should be justifiably proud. They have succeeded in demonstrating they are worthy to be among the top athletes in the world and, as such, even if a medal wasn’t won, are champions. St. Paul likens life to a race (see 1 Cor. 9:24, 2 Tim/ 4:7 and Hebrews 12:1) similar to those of the Olympics, but with the prize far more precious than gold medals or diamond tiaras. And so it is. For some the length of this race is shorter than it is for others. It isn’t the length of the race or the speed by which the course is completed that matters. This rite of passage is not based on physical prowess or speed. Its only similarity to other races is that of endurance. The race of life is one of quality. The standards against which the quality of one’s performance is measured are love, justice, compassion, mercy and obedience. In short, it is a measure of holiness.
Virtually every society, culture, institution and organization has celebratory rituals culminating the attainment of a milestone. Often these rituals follow some type of activity, trial or test by which the person seeking to achieve the milestone proves they are worthy of the new status. Those seeking membership in a fraternity or sorority pass through a period of trial as pledges. In various religious communities attaining spiritual adulthood is preceded by intense periods of study. Being accepted as an adult in some cultures involves proving your mettle through demonstrating a high level of knowledge and skill by surviving a period of hardship and deprivation on your own in the wild. All of these activities and tests are termed rites of passage. The American political arena, particularly during the primary season is a rite of passage from a would be nominee to the status of a political candidate for a particular office such as president. Successfully completing these trials entitles the person to enter the next phase of life or to adopt his or her new status. But there is one rite of passage that is far more arduous, far more important and far greater in its rewards than all the others, individually or combined. This rite of passage is life. By it we prove just how worthy we are to be admitted into the eternal court of the King of kings and Lord of lords as members of the most exclusive of clubs, the family of God. Membership in this gathering is granted only to those who have demonstrated their love and their loyalty to God by steadfast faithfulness, loving obedience and ultimate perseverance in the face of the most adverse conditions, the most arduous of trials and strongest of foes.
As I write this, the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing have recently concluded. Being part of a nation’s Olympic team is a great milestone and all the athletes who participated should be justifiably proud. They have succeeded in demonstrating they are worthy to be among the top athletes in the world and, as such, even if a medal wasn’t won, are champions. St. Paul likens life to a race (see 1 Cor. 9:24, 2 Tim/ 4:7 and Hebrews 12:1) similar to those of the Olympics, but with the prize far more precious than gold medals or diamond tiaras. And so it is. For some the length of this race is shorter than it is for others. It isn’t the length of the race or the speed by which the course is completed that matters. This rite of passage is not based on physical prowess or speed. Its only similarity to other races is that of endurance. The race of life is one of quality. The standards against which the quality of one’s performance is measured are love, justice, compassion, mercy and obedience. In short, it is a measure of holiness.
Those who successfully achieve this milestone receive their prize with their garments torn and in tatters and their bodies, hearts and souls racked with pain from countless bleeding wounds. And in so doing they are images of Christ and rightly called His true disciples. But in receiving the prize, all of these things are healed and restored and more besides, for Christ has promised as much and His word is Truth.
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