Honorable Mention
When I has in High School, I played football - football was my sport, you might say. I can remember that at the conclusion of each football year, the sports writers in the state of Michigan would choose high school players to be "all state", which simply meant that the player was one of the best in the entire state - this was indeed a great honor. Although I was never voted "all state", one year I was chosen as "honorable mention", which meant that my name was on the table in the midst of the voting (I probably got a couple of votes, but not enough for election). Honorable mention was, and still is a very good thing. So what does it mean to be "mentioned in an honorable way?"
I suppose, in my mind, anyway, being mentioned "honorably" means that one has performed their tasks and assignments in an outstanding manner - they have excelled at their job, so to speak. Perhaps it also means that one is only second-best, which is certainly true in the context of being an all-state football player! I wonder: When it comes time for God to hand out accolades and "Well done!" if I will get "honorable mention" or will I be on the all-state team? I don't know about you but a question like this makes me question what kind of life I have been living. Have I made the right decisions - in all circumstances (no!)? Have I been loving and kind (sometimes, when it's easy!)? Have I been completely honest with God, myself and others (most of the time!)? Just how devoted to God have I been in my everyday life (I'd say pretty devoted!)? In the kingdom of Heaven, and if I was voting, would I elect myself to the "all-state" team, or to the "honorable mention" team?
Fortunately, God has a plan, I believe - and part of His plan is that you and I do not have a vote when it comes to me, you or anyone else! Indeed the best thing about God's plan is that the One who loves us the most (God) has the only vote that counts!
