25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
I am sure you have heard the saying that when you die you “can’t take it with you.” As I look across the American church, I see a great deal of ‘kingdom building’, and that with a small ‘k’. We build facilities that don’t just meet the need, they celebrate our ‘American Dream.’ We must (with a capital ‘M’) have comfort and every possible convenience or we go to another church. If they don’t serve espresso in the lobby, then they aren’t meeting my need. There has to be music that sounds like the cd or it isn’t worship. The preacher has to be ‘on’ every Sunday or they can’t possibly be God’s messenger for me. There had better be drama and a web presence. In fact, if it really is to meet my need, they had better not ever ask for money. And they had better not really talk about the problems in my life in such a way that I feel bad about my sin, or expect me to become involved in helping others. Having seen how Jesus-followers around the world worship, cramped into extremely small quarters with only enough room for everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder, regional body odors not getting in the way, worshiping without observing proper decorum, what a contrast. I think all the convenience we demand gets in the way of our experiencing intimacy with God. Our comfort drowns out the voice we need to hear. As I push my garage door opener and drive out of my suburban landscape, I pass by those in need. What is my response? Strict training requires something of me. Am I willing to do whatever is necessary in order to get what will never disappoint?
The Arnold Journey 