UPWARD MOBILITY
To him who is victorious I will grant a place on my throne, as I myself was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3:21, N.E.B.
Many years ago a television comedy series featured a family of backwoods hillbillies who had struck sudden wealth and moved to Beverly Hills in California. As they fed their pigs in the marble fountains and wore overalls in the velvet-and-lace dining room, the humor unfolded. It was humor based on the absurdity of people relocated into a palace, yet bearing the mind-set and style of the "sticks."
Though the plot was all a spoof, it does suggest one important insight for many in Western society who are "upwardly mobile," who are seeking to upgrade their status in life. True nobility is based not on the lavishness of one's residence, but on the spirit and values of one's mind.
Many writers have scoffed at upward mobility, the quest for wealth and position, because it usually leads to greed and exploitation. Yet, in its truest spirit, I believe that upward mobility was God's idea for us right from the start. He created us for fellowship with the King of the universe! Even after the Fall He still fully intends that we should once again be restored to sit with Him on His throne. Now, that's upward mobility!
But that incredible "rise" in social status is not simply a relocation into a magnificent palace. People will not inhabit the palace above who have not here on earth learned the language and spirit of the palace. And this will not be found by shopping at the palace-makers of earth, but rather by giving attention to the matters of the heart.
The English writer John Ruskin said it well: "He only is advancing in life whose heart is getting softer, whose blood warmer, whose brain quicker, whose spirit is entering into living peace. And the men who have this life in them are the true lords or kings of the earth--they, and they only."
Perhaps we should question why we so often hold such a dim view of ourselves when God has such a settled opinion of our destiny and our worth. Nor would a proper appraisal of our destiny lead us to pride or arrogance, for pride, when seen for what it is, is but a cheap compensation, a thin cover-up, for low self-esteem. But we are children of the King!
To him who is victorious I will grant a place on my throne, as I myself was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3:21, N.E.B.
Many years ago a television comedy series featured a family of backwoods hillbillies who had struck sudden wealth and moved to Beverly Hills in California. As they fed their pigs in the marble fountains and wore overalls in the velvet-and-lace dining room, the humor unfolded. It was humor based on the absurdity of people relocated into a palace, yet bearing the mind-set and style of the "sticks."
Though the plot was all a spoof, it does suggest one important insight for many in Western society who are "upwardly mobile," who are seeking to upgrade their status in life. True nobility is based not on the lavishness of one's residence, but on the spirit and values of one's mind.
Many writers have scoffed at upward mobility, the quest for wealth and position, because it usually leads to greed and exploitation. Yet, in its truest spirit, I believe that upward mobility was God's idea for us right from the start. He created us for fellowship with the King of the universe! Even after the Fall He still fully intends that we should once again be restored to sit with Him on His throne. Now, that's upward mobility!
But that incredible "rise" in social status is not simply a relocation into a magnificent palace. People will not inhabit the palace above who have not here on earth learned the language and spirit of the palace. And this will not be found by shopping at the palace-makers of earth, but rather by giving attention to the matters of the heart.
The English writer John Ruskin said it well: "He only is advancing in life whose heart is getting softer, whose blood warmer, whose brain quicker, whose spirit is entering into living peace. And the men who have this life in them are the true lords or kings of the earth--they, and they only."
Perhaps we should question why we so often hold such a dim view of ourselves when God has such a settled opinion of our destiny and our worth. Nor would a proper appraisal of our destiny lead us to pride or arrogance, for pride, when seen for what it is, is but a cheap compensation, a thin cover-up, for low self-esteem. But we are children of the King!
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