Friday, January 28, 2011 - King of the Hill

     Once upon a time, before television and video games, children played outside with sticks and stones and their imaginations. As wholesome as this sounds compared to television and video games, children have always needed adult supervision. Otherwise they invent games like "King of the Hill." Some unsupervised bully back in cave dwelling days came up with the rules, I'm sure. To play this game, one person (the king) stood on top of something high such as a hill, a pile of logs, or a stump and the rest of the children attempted to remove him and take his place as "King of the Hill." The methods for removing the king depended on the children and ranged from simply "tagging" the king to pushing, stick fighting and stone throwing. "King of the Hill" may be the reason parents first said, "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt." 
     Some days life feels like a rough game of "King of the Hill." We fight to maintain control of our little hill but feel exposed and outnumbered by opposition from every direction. We can't accomplish anything because we're too busy running in circles dodging sticks and stones as we try to defend our territory.  
     Jesus taught people to rethink the hill they were wearing themselves out to defend. 

      "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, 

what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. 

Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" 

Matthew 6:25

     If the hill we're defending is made of money, status, pride, vanity, another person, or self-interests it's a hill that will eventually betray us by swallowing us like quicksand. Constant worrying, planning or scheming are sure signs I've taken over as the doomed king of the wrong hill. My place is at the foot of the cross on the hill where every battle has already been won. I'm to look up to the King who conquered death and let Him conquer the enemies coming from behind me.  When I turn from Jesus to focus on an enemy, I've already lost the battle. My duty is not to fight the usurper but to remain kneeling to Jesus as King of my heart. No enemy can knock me down when I'm already kneeling before Christ and bowing to His will. 

Father, You're King of all creation and no one else can take Your place as King. We worship You for Your Holy Name and for Your Power. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess You are King of kings and Lord of lords. For now, Holy Spirit, keep us on the right hill, fighting only to keep You in the center of our lives. Protect us from people who use our own egos against us. We're gullible and are easily deceived into thinking we deserve to be king or that we're in control. It's laughable, I know, Father, but it's a sneaky, effective tactic. Guard our vulnerable hearts, Lord Jesus.

In the Name of Jesus, the only One worthy of praise!

Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest
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