What Really Counts

Make a list of all your accomplishments. Go ahead. List out all the things you’re proud of. Nothing to be ashamed of in being proud of the things you worked hard for, or glad of the things that have been blessings in your life.

Do you have that list?

Make a list of all your accomplishments. Go ahead. List out all the things you’re proud of. Nothing to be ashamed of in being proud of the things you worked hard for, or glad of the things that have been blessings in your life.

Do you have that list?

Now, look down at it and say, “Wow, what a lot of rubbish.” Crumple it up and toss it in the appropriate receptacle.

Hard to do? Maybe this will be easier: try saying, “Wow, what a lot of rubbish compared with knowing Christ.”

Ah, now some of you probably know where I’m going with all this. Let’s look at Philippians 4:7-8. Paul has just finished touting out all his great accomplishments. It’s a list of all the things he can boast in, and it’s better than most of our lists I’ll bet.

Then, comes verses 7 and 8: “But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things–indeed, I regard them as dung!–that I may gain Christ” (NET). Many translate that word “dung” as “garbage,” but it is actually a reference to fecal matter. Shocking, right? It was then, and it’s a bit now.

(Side note: Got a kid that doesn’t like reading the Bible. Point him or her to the “poo” references.)

However, Paul’s point is made. We are to look at all this earthly stuff as nothing compared to Christ. Or more to the point, not just as nothing, but as something disgusting that we try to dispose of without anyone else knowing about it or being disturbed by it. It stinks; our accomplishments stink.

But what freedom too! Our identity doesn’t come from the degrees from colleges, universities, and seminaries that we have, or don’t have. It doesn’t come from our stellar resume that always gets us an interview, or never does.

We pursue the path God has put in front of us, but not for the grades, the applause, or the raise. We pursue God’s path because it is His, and He put it before us to do. We pursue the path because we are His. In all actuality, we should pursue because we pursue Him.

So, look at that list (if it’s not in the garbage), and thank God for what He has blessed you with. Then, still throw it away, and spend a bit more time with Him. Nothing else matters. Really.