Life's Leader Board

The 75th Masters Golf Tournament is being played at historic Augusta National Golf Course this week. You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate the sheer beauty of the course Bobby Jones built. Spectacular southern flora and manicured lush green fairways are as much of the Augusta experience as the actual golf tournament.

Throughout the course, leader board's keep patrons and players abreast of what's happening on the rest of the golf course. As you make your way through the main entrance and walk toward the #1 fairway you see the main leader board which posts the scores of every player and the entire tournament. You wouldn't want to, but you could stand in front of that board and follow the tournament without ever actually watching someone strike a golf ball. The goal of course is to stay near, or at the top of that board for four days.

Unlike golf, the goal of the Christ-centered life is to be last, or least. Giving preference to others, self-denial, and acts of service and humility is what gets you atop heaven's leader board. Unlike the individual sports of tennis and golf, the Christ-centered journey doesn't self-promote. In fact, promoting others, humbling ourselves and surrendering our agenda to God's is the equivalent of being a scratch golfer in the Christ-centered life. The stars and pros of heaven are quiet, unassuming people who simply serve God and are seeking to follow Scripture and pattern their lives after Jesus Christ. They are the ones who realize that no human has, or will ever be atop heaven's leader board because it's the spot reserved solely for a holy, righteous and sovereign God.

As we enter the final days and weeks of the Lenten journey let's continue to seek ways that our lives, words and actions continue to push God to the top of life's leader board for the sake of His glory, the gospel and all eternity!

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mark 10:42-44 ESV)