We live in a society where being “first” means everything. Everyone wants to be Number One or be part of a winning team or group that is Number One. We want our sports teams to be Number One, to be a Winner.
Competition is the name of the game. Our motto is: “Win, Win, Win, Me, Me, Me.” The title, “Loser” is despised in our society. To find ourselves at the end of the line in anything is absolutely tragic. None of us wants to come in last. None of us wants to be a loser.
Then along comes Jesus. He totally ruins our winning formula by saying: “For whoever would save his life will lose it. And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matt. 16:25).
Jesus is telling us that whoever can get beyond himself and begin to put himself out for Jesus’ sake will come alive in many new ways. The person who breaks out from the narrow, restrictive prison walls of self-concern and self-interest will have an inner joy that knows no bounds.
Not every victory in our life shows up on the scoreboard!
