The prize

The accolades and disparagements given by the world are fleeting and random. Fame and infamy are equally ephemeral. At best they last only through this life, more usually only until the crowd is distracted by some new game. Prizes and derision are heaped without regard to reality. Too often the worst get praise while the best get short shrift from the short sighted. For a seeker of the real only one opinion regarding one's worth is valuable, that of one's creator. In Plato's allegory of the cave men are chained in darkness and bamboozled by games of guessing at shadows. I am that prisoner, lost in darkness, confused by shadows. How fortunate that One from outside, from the world of light came to set me free. His opinion alone has worth. There is a hymn with the line, "...all other ground is sinking sand." To act in accord with any desire but His is sinking sand indeed. What then is His desire? That all men should be saved. What must I do to be saved? The answer came from His own lips, "Belive in the one He has sent." And I must echo the reply, "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief." Child of darkness that I am the world of light seems like only a sweet dream and the shadows on the wall more real than reports of sunlight, stars and rain. I counsel you, my callow, shallow heart, be not faint nor fear to follow. For, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."