The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

We are born of generations that covet finishing on top. From sports to academics to making the most of position, wealth, power and influence. Excelling is an admirable trait within its boundaries and most of us agree that striving to be our best is a discipline worth nurturing. What happens, then, despite best efforts, we fail to reach the pinnacle of our endeavors? Is it failure or opportunity, disappointment, or enlightenment? Reasons can be found to covet second place, but in the natural world, second place is often lunch. Luckily, when we combine human intellect with survival instinct, we frequently discover things unthought of, new paths in the wilderness.

Our preoccupation with all that is required in earning the top spot can divert our attention from other areas of high value in our lives. We all should experience the euphoric highs of being in first place at least once in our lives, but we gain most by understanding where we are in the moment and how it took to get there. Discipline is the framework to which we affix ideas and understandings. There is room also for personal theologies, though some persons are challenged by the thought. As people of faith, there will be differences of opinion though we contemplate the same scripture. Some will declare their vision, their insight, their revelation sacrosanct. Each person must travel their own path in that regard.

In the current climate of challenging political discourse, second place is an especially grievous place to find oneself. Yet, we know that for success to wend its way to any political institution requires much more that figureheads and fancy slogans. It is an effort beyond our single selves. It took the disciples a while to figure out that Jesus was more that a person, an ideal, or a movement to be marketed to the public, although ‘Son of God’ is hard to beat on any resume.’ Time and again, the Twelve wanted more, hopeful of a first-place finish in matters they did not always grasp. In their understandings, being number one meant vanquishing all comers. Many would argue that that indeed was the ultimate outcome, just not in the manner that was expected.

Consider, if not for a second place there would be no first of relevance. Second place is a learning laboratory, a dwelling of the heart in which to query and test the empathies of the Kingdom of God. Having run the Boston Marathon is a worthy accomplishment. Every one of the nearly 30,000 entrants would likely agree. To finish first is remarkable, but to have qualified and finished at all is noteworthy and fulfilling.

We do not have to be the best or tops or first in what we do. That kind of bar can chip away at the soul. What we are called to do is to recognize the finest in ourselves and ask how we best fit to help realize a more verdant peaceful world. If the Kingdom of God is all about compassion and building the faith, then our placing should not matter. “This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8 MSG)