Achievements

"The death He died, He died to sin once for all".
-Romans 6:10
      I posted a long time ago about success, and today I want to talk about something similar. Today I wanted to share my thoughts on achievements. Achievements are things that we accomplish and take pride in. Achievements are usually something great that we do and want to be noticed for. Everyone wants to achieve things in their life, although those things differ. I believe that everyone wants to do things that they can take pride in and possibly get noticed for.
      When we think of achievements, we often think of great people that have achieved great things. Michael Jordan is known for being one of, if not the, greatest basketball players ever. He has won many NBA finals and has many trophies. He has done this with his amazing athleticism and by practicing hard everyday. Now he is in the basketball Hall of Fame and is recognized for his greatness in basketball.
      This is only one example, but it describes someone we often hold up because of his achievements. While that may seem great, I don't believe it is that great. Sure he was one of the greatest basketball players, but what does that do for him? He gets paid well and gets to keep many trophies, but when he dies will that matter anymore? His achievements can't follow him to the grave, unfortunately. Even though he has worked so hard to achieve things in his life, it won't help him when dies and it won't last.
      It may seem that I think that nothing is worth achieving or doing, but that isn't the case. Michael Jordan has done something I think is worthwhile- using his money to help charities. While he might not be known or recognized for that, I think he should. His basketball career won't make as much of an impact as his funds to charity. I think the achievements we should be working towards are ones that help other people more than ourselves. Why? Doing things for ourselves is nice, but it won't matter after we die. Doing things for other people can change others and maybe even the course of history. Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized for helping achieve freedom for slaves in America. He changed America and made an impact even to this day, just by doing something for others. I think that is an achievement worth recognizing.
      The more we do for other people, the greater our achievements become. Rather than strive to earn medals or self recognition, we start to help others and make an impact that will last. The greatest achievement ever was Jesus dying on the cross. Why? Jesus died to save and help other people, not himself. He died for all people, and in the process earned nothing but death for himself. These are the greatest kinds of achievements; ones where a person gives up something to help other people. Jesus gave up everything to help us. Through his achievement all people benefit and history has been changed. Now we aren't all supposed to do amazing things like Martin Luther King Jr. or Jesus, but we are supposed to do the best we can to achieve something to help others. What do you want to achieve?
-Smart