Take a moment to consider all you have done with your life. Whatever you came up with, Paul says in our lesson that it’s just the past. We ought to look at the past like twentieth-century American poet Paul Eldridge once wrote: “Praises for our past triumphs are as feathers to a dead bird.” Get over your successes. No matter how good you have been, how spiritual you are, no matter how much you have accomplished, it does not matter.

We Americans do not want to hear this. Think of Marvin and Harriet Thompson. (Substitute the name accordingly and locate them age-wise, economically, and vocationally in accord with the prevailing demographics of your congregation.) They are successfully situated in our community, with good reputations and even influence in the community. They are proud of thei…