Talk About a Winner!
In life, many seek to be a winner. However, the question needs to be asked: “What constitutes winning”? To many, this is “coming out ahead” in the various areas of life. For some, it is a certain level of success in the business world. To others, it is wealth or power. To still others, winning is becoming the best at a particular sport and wearing the title “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) for a while.
How many fail to realize that earth’s successes are fleeting? How many fail to see that after we leave this life, whatever ‘earthly success’ we might have enjoyed is over? Who can “inherit” this? None can “win” by basking in the success of those who came before them. One also cannot win by leaving others material goods or monies. In Eccl. 2:18-19, the Spirit had Solomon pen wise Words to help us through this aspect of life. Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
The one who inherits goods, wealth, or properties from another cannot call themselves winners. All that ‘stuff’ will perish when the Lord destroys the earth and the ‘works therein’ with fire. One can only truly benefit in this life from the influence of others (if it’s the right influence). This is where we can become winners. When the influence ‘directs us correctly’ to the Word of God, and if we “choose” to read, study, meditate on and “do” what God Commands we are ‘winners’ in this life and are preparing for the ultimate win – eternity with God.
This is perhaps the idea behind the poem here – written by my wife’s father, O.D. Wilson, many years ago. He didn’t amass much in this life, and he was not able to ‘leave’ his children ‘worldly’ goods or monies. But what he left them, (a deep and abiding love for God’s Word), and his preparation for that eternal home made him a winner. Won’t you seek to be a winner too?
Talk About A Winner
The crowd continues waiting,
And excitement’s in the air.
A celebrity’s debating,
When to make the ‘entrance’ there.
Every eye has been directed,
To behold some thrilling things,
When the ‘star’ who is expected,
Comes from “waiting in the wings”.
In the game the score is “tied”.
Two are “out” and three are “on”.
“on the deck” one will decide,
With the bat he brings along.
As the crowd stands in the bleachers,
Now, the pitcher makes his “wind”,
Some are disappointed creatures,
For their team is four behind.
The horses are all a “prancing”,
As they’re guided in the “chute”,
Betters know what they are chancing,
Hoping to collect the “loot”.
They wait for a grand performance,
And to watch them as they run.
While the “purse” remains enormous,
Someone, first, must “fire the gun”.
The Trumpet has just sounded,
And the earth is “wrapped in flames”,
Teaming millions from all ages,
Stand there, listening for their ‘names’.
Time has ended, and Eternity,
Is waiting, just before,
As the “Judge” raps with His gavel,
“Will you read that name, once more?”
In life’s battles there are “losers”,
Many of us do not win.
Maybe, we are just poor “choosers”,
Between right and wrong and sin.
There’ll be nothing to compare,
Or, such grandeur so sublime.
At that “meeting in the air”,
When the next name called is mine.
Poem by: O.D. Wilson (deceased) –
Article by: Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
