Homecoming Court

It’s homecoming season for schools everywhere. My daughter’s school has their homecoming this Saturday and her friends are all abuzz with preparations for the Friday night homecoming game and the homecoming celebration on Saturday night.

One topic of conversation these past couple of weeks has been about the homecoming court nominees and who she feels is deserving of her vote. She attends a Christian school and feels strongly that the winners should be people of good character who consistently show school spirit but who also exhibit good spiritual qualities like humility, selflessness and kindness. She told me that she did not vote for anyone who she saw going around ASKING for votes because those nominees weren’t exhibiting the humble spirit she values.

I am impressed that she chooses to make even these smaller, less significant life decisions based on her knowledge of scripture. She is looking at the content of the character shown by others and does not look at their outward appearance. She voted for homecoming court nominees based on what she has witnessed of their character since since the beginning of the school year - or in some cases from previous years of knowing them.

This morning I was reminded of the story in Mark chapter 10 where two of Jesus’ disciples asked to have seats on the right and left of Jesus in His heavenly kingdom and all the disciples at one point had been discussing amongst themselves who was going to be the greatest in God’s kingdom. Jesus shuts down their prideful debate and tells them that “…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.” Mark 10:43. He later ends up washing the feet of the disciples as an example of humility and service we should all model.

“but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭40‬, ‭43‬-‭45

And, not believing in coincidences, I should not have been surprised that this portion of Mark was one of the portions listed in one of my through-the-Bible reading plans this morning. But I WAS a little surprised. It is always so amazing to me that God frequently confirms that my thoughts were planted by Him by reinforcing those thoughts during my morning Bible study. Sometimes the only thing I can say about this is WOW!

When we get to heaven it will be the ultimate Homecoming celebration. We will get new bodies, new clothes and there will be singing and dancing. The King will be crowned and the royal court will be honored for their service and devotion. And everyone will be celebrating- happy just to be there, in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.😊