Enamoured

Trophies

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Trophies are symbols of victory. They look different for different individuals. The designations people put after their names are types of trophies signifying their triumph in the examination and coursework required. I like trophies and have a few myself. Literal trophies and figurative ones.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

I recently read a story in the Bible that got me thinking about trophies and what kinds of trophies one should hope to acquire and hold on to. The story can be found in the book of 1 Samuel from chapter 4 to chapter 6 verse 8. It is a lengthy read, but I encourage you to do so for proper context. In summary, the Philistines attacked and defeated the Israelite army and took the ark of God. The ark was a symbol of the presence of God for the Israelites, but a symbol of victory for the Philistines.

The Philistines held on to this ark for 7 months as the story says and they had so much pain while doing so. From tumors to the destruction of their idols to death. During these months, they passed it around from city to city (chapter 5) until they sat down and asked themselves what to do about it (1 Samuel 6:2).

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you,
but rather rejoice because your names
are written in heaven

Luke 10:20 (NKJV)

A rational listener or reader of this story would ask themselves why they held on for so long. Did they not know it was causing them all the pain they were experiencing? I think they did because as they passed it along from city to city, they saw patterns which caused them to continue passing it along. My guess is that they held on to it because it was a symbol of their victory against the Israelite army and letting go would mean they may have ‘won the battle, but they lost the war’ as the saying goes.

Over to you now, what are you holding on to that you need to let go of? Did you give someone a piece of your mind and put them in their place and are now left with a severed relationship as your ‘trophy’? Or have you built a standard for yourself that is preventing you from interacting with certain individuals? I mentioned earlier that I have accumulated some ‘trophies’ in my life so far and I learnt that while job searching, especially when changing career paths, certain trophies need to be excluded as they are irrelevant to the role.

Final Thoughts

Celebrate your wins. Remember this though: As great as trophies are, one needs to know when to lay it down or one risks experiencing hurt.

What are some trophies you’ve acquired over the years?

Lovelyn

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18 responses to “Trophies”

  9. Thought provoking as always. Also, in another chapter in the same book of 1st Samuel, I found an interesting submission about trophies. David after defeating Goliath, had used his sword to sever the head. Goliath’s sword became a trophy of some sort for David after the execution. However, instead of holding on to the sword as a personal trophy or a priceless possession which heralded his military career, he submitted it and had it kept in the temple in custody of the priests.
    At a later time, down the line, David needed a weapon to carry out an assignment for the king. The only one available for use was that one which he had submitted earlier. In other words, in the statement of Christ, we are sure to save our lives and trophies if we submit and ‘lose’ them from Christ’s sake. I’m quite certain that holding on to a trophy with one hand will make that hand unavailable for another trophy. Such hand becomes occupied and useless to pick up newer trophies nor even to hold the shield to ward off fiery attacks.
    Thank you for bringing this up. Good job!

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