The Gold Star

     In this weeks gospel Luke 18:9-14 Jesus shares a parable with those who where convinced of their righteousness.  In the parable, two men,  a tax collector and a Pharisee, were praying in a temple. The Pharisee’s prayer was primarily about how amazing of a person he was.   In his prayer he mentioned that he tithed  his whole income, and fasted twice a week.  He thanked God for making him different. He wasn’t like the rest of us.  In his eyes he was  better  than everyone else, especially  the  tax collector who was also praying nearby. The tax collector prayed much differently. He prayed with humility. Acknowledging that he was a sinner he asked God for mercy.  He didn’t speak of others. He didn’t judge anyone. He just humbly asked for Gods mercy. At the end of the parable Jesus says that the tax collector will be the one to go home justified  and not the Pharisee. 

    With whom  of the two men do you identify with? Is it the tax collector or the religious Pharisee? I’d like to think that we all have a little bit of both in us.  We can say that  the Pharisee is doing all the “right” things. Fasting , tithing  and being a good Christian.   He’s being  so good of a Christian that he begins to judge others.  He begins to feel like he is different from everyone  else.  In his eyes he is better.  Haven’t you felt like you were better than someone else? How quickly do you notice when someone makes  a wrong turn on their journey? How do you feel when someone doesn’t have the same aspirations or ambition as you?  Do you feel better than them? I have caught myself assuming I’m better than someone else many times.  I will be the first to say I am  very guilty of this type of judgement. I pray regularly, attend church, try to raise ny children with strong Christian values. Aren’t I better?  I know that the answer is no.  Even though I want the “gold star” next to my name I have to constantly remind myself that I am no different then anyone else. Deep down I know that God doesn’t  want me to put myself above  or below anyone else.  I know that we are all his children. I know this but sometimes I lose my way. Sometimes I think that God is handing out the gold stars  for great behavior and if I don’t have the most then I failed. If I don’t  get the stars next to my name then I’m like the rest of “them”.   I know it Sounds a lot like that Pharisee.  As followers of  Christ we are to remember that all of his children are equally loved and blessed.   We are all made in his image.  Different is some ways but Gods loves us all the same.  Whether you are a religious Pharisee or a sinful Tax collector the love God has for us is the same.  There is no greater equalizer than that. 

    he tax collector had a different approach in his prayer. The tax collector recognized who he was.  He wasn’t concerned with others. He wasn’t judging. He was just being humble and aware of his shortcomings. He was aware that someone higher than him was in control.   At times I also feel like the tax collector.  Strangely it’s the times are when I’m down. When life gets you down it is as if you know that you really aren’t better than anyone else.  You remember that you are on this journey and slowly figuring it out. The gold stars aren’t being handed out. You recognize that the Gold star you need is Jesus.  He’s the ultimate gold star.   The tax collector understood that next to our name is the ultimate gold star. Just humbly ask for mercy and you will receive.  There is  no need to be better than anyone else when the best is always with  you.    

    How about you? I ask again. Who do you relate to? The  Pharisee or the tax collector? I continue to work on myself  no different than you. I continue to have days when I’m a humble tax collector asking for mercy. Then there are days when I feel like I’m on way to another gold star and I want to the world to see.  As God continues to work through me I am beginning to see that the only Gold Star that  really matters is the one that  you can never earn.   I love that God made it that way.   Without having to earn anything you can remain humble and can keep your eye on the  real star. Let us not forget to let go of all we have done and embrace what God is doing.