Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I don’t like suffering. After becoming a Christian I have often wondered why didn’t God just make us perfect. You know, immortal, powerful, able to stand in His presence. At the right moment God answered my question.

“I did.” Whoa, wait, you did? “Yes and they rebelled against me.”

Then I understood, the angels were God’s created perfect sons. They also were created to serve God, just as we are created. Yet we were created a little less than the angels. We are not immortal, we aren’t powerful, we cannot come and go from this realm to eternity and back. So why did He give them free will? Because God is perfect love and love doesn’t make demands on those it loves.

I’ve come to believe that we suffer, so that when we are perfected, and we will be perfected, we will have a history of suffering to compare with perfection. We will have a proper appreciation for perfection, having been less.

Having an understanding of that, perhaps it would be appropriate to have a proper appreciation of our salvation. Salvation is not offered to angels. In that we are set aside and special in God’s eyes.

Psalm 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

As the Olympics play out this winter in Sochi, Russia, we see the best of the best from each nation compete. We have our favorites, maybe the underdog, someone who has all the heart but lacks experience. We encourage potential, we love to see records broken. We feel lifted up by seeing humanity at its best, even if in defeat.

Paul writes to strive to win the race, to win the prize. It is so ingrained into our human experience to overcome, to conquer, and to be victorious, that we admire winners if not idolize them. Even as Christian we look up to men of God whom have furthered the Kingdom in Christ name?

Did you ever stop to think how that makes those of lesser stature feel? What does it feel like to be passed over because your effort isn’t deemed worthy of selection? Is your self-worth less than what you would like it to be? Have you given up trying? Let me show you the least among all, who is greater than all, and perhaps, just maybe, you can see why Jesus said what He did in Matthew 11:11.

The body of Christ is only compete and His return as King of Kings to come when the last person accepts Him as Lord of that life. When that happens, that last soul will have no time to do anything for the Kingdom because the church age will have come to an end. Knowing what I know about salvation and how people come to Christ, odds are that the last soul will be won to Christ by someone whom that soul can identify with, can connect with, can see themselves joining hands with in Christ.

Do you think that will be a Billy Graham type? I’ll bet it will be someone of low esteem that says, “We aren’t that different. I can love you from right here.”

Be of good cheer.