First Place Trophy?

One man bragged that he had a trophy wife. His buddy said, “Yeah, but she came in sixth place!”

I know a man, and the second time I had a conversation with him, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Watch out for this man. Don’t get too close to him and guard what you say to him.” He started sharing with me his religious trophies. In other words, what he thought he had done “for God,” but in reality, he did them for himself. There was one such trophy that shocked me when he shared it. He seemed proud of it, too, which bothered me. It was something that didn’t seem right, for one who claims to be a Christ follower, to be a part of.

I’m sorry I can’t reveal more about what he told me because it is possible that some who read these blogs know him and I have always strived not to expose people for what they are, but to make a point. Who this man is isn’t important, but his being “religious” is!

Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. Jam. 1:26-27 (MSG)

Focusing on the part of the above verse that is labeled as “Real religion” is really about “love.” God’s love. Simply loving on people. Bob Goff wrote a book about it titled “Love Does.” I’ve had the opportunity to hear Bob speak in person. One story he shared I can’t forget.He said he was picked up at the airport in a limo. On his way to his hotel, he asked the young driver, “Have you ever ridden back here?” “No,” said the chauffeur. Bob says he thought for a moment and then said, “Why don’t you pull over and get back here and I’ll drive for you.” “What?” exclaimed the driver. “Of course, if we do this, you have to let me wear the hat!” They exchanged places. The young man had never been shown or felt such love.

Doing something out of the ordinary for someone else gets their attention. They sit up and start paying attention to why this person is different than anyone they have ever met. Many times, they will even ask, “Why are you doing this?” Or, “Why are you different?” Jesus dined with tax collectors, and they were considered bad people. He became friends with a woman caught in adultery. He understood and didn’t condemn when a woman went against her culture to touch the hem of his garment.

Those people didn’t see “religion,” they saw “love in motion.” Jesus never dragged out his trophies of all the miracles he had performed and showed them off. He never had the disciples stop and polish them either. Jesus simply loved, and talked about his heavenly Father and a better way to live.

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.