In 2002, Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was asked by author, Phillip Yancey, to reflect on his life as an engineer, a Naval officer, a successful farmer, a governor, and a President, Yancy asked Mr. Carter which did he enjoy the most?

President Carter thought for a moment and then said, “Now!”

How ironic, that Jimmy Carter was once considered a “loser” in this nation’s eyes, and for decades he has been one of the most admired and respected people in the world. According to Yancey, “If someone held a contest for best ex-presidents, Jimmy Carter would win hands down.”

This should cause us all to pause. If what we long for in this life is to be admired and respected and loved, why do we spend most of our time trying to be successful and powerful and feared? What does that have to do with Jesus, standing before Pilate, refusing to act like a king that the world would want to follow?

Theologian Fredrick Buechner writes:

If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter, and the Last Supper is the Mad Tea Party.

The world says, “Mind your own business” and Jesus says, “There is no such thing as your own business.”

The world says, “Follow the wisest course and be a success” and Jesus says, “Follow me and be crucified.”

The world says, “Drive carefully — the life you save may be your own” and Jesus says, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

The world says, “Law and order” and Jesus says “Love.”

The world says, “Get” and Jesus says, “Give.”

In terms of his sanity, Jesus’ relatives thought he had lost his mind. Anybody who thinks he can follow Jesus without being a little crazy, too, is laboring less under the cross than under delusion.

“We are fools for Christ’s sake,” the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:10.  “Ultimately the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, the lunacy of Jesus is saner than the grim sanity of the world.”

Do YOU ever think that the words, the Parables and the teachings of Jesus are often at odds with what others tell YOU about being successful and admired?

GOD GAVE YOU THIS LIFE BECAUSE GOD KNEW YOU WERE STRONG ENOUGH TO LIVE IT.

A POEM A DAY TO PRAY  2025 has 365 thought-provoking poems. Please check it out:https://treatsforthesoul.org/a-poem-a-day-to-pray/