TITLE: Everything Pales In Comparison (Part 2) updated 12/22/15 By Alohalani 06/23/15 |
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A few months after the wedding, the Tanakas invited Yuki to their home for dinner. Mom and Dad Tanaka, Kenji, their new daughter-in-law, Mariko, and Yuki sat at the dinner table enjoying lively conversation. This family environment was everything that Yuki had dreamed of, but it had never become a reality for her.
Yuki, overwhelmed by the joyous gathering, couldn’t help but comment to Mr. Tanaka, “You must agree that this is life’s ultimate joy—to have a harmonious family.”
“No, it’s not.” was Mr. Tanaka's reflex response.
Yuki’s stunned look invited further explanation.
“My greatest joy is knowing my Lord, Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy. I could have everything in the world, but without Christ, have nothing.” Mr. Tanaka’s comments dug deep into Yuki’s heart. Her one desire was to have a loving family. Yet Mr. Tanaka, a successful international businessman with vast experiences, considered this nothing compared to the joy of the Lord. Mr. Tanaka's explanation mirrored the Apostle Paul's remarks in Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
The Apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Philippians and other New Testament books, had exceptional accolades that everyone admired. He was considered one of the elite among the elite Jewish academics. Upon hearing of Paul’s achievements, people let out a, "Wow, I’m impressed!" and nodded their heads in admiration just like people did when they heard of Mariko’s achievements. However, Paul, Mariko, and Mr. Tanaka believed that their accomplishments were nothing compared to the unsurpassing joy of knowing Christ. Their lives testified to the fact that, you can have everything in the world, but it pales in comparison to Christ.
Yuki was just beginning to learn this truth.
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