The movie and music industries are good at throwing galas to hand out awards to their own. The coveted Oscar, Tony or Grammy is far more than a mere shelf decoration. It's an acknowledgment of excellence from one's own peers! Baseball, too, has its Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and the other pro sports follow suit in their own way. The other day I heard an ad for the appearance of long-time folk singer and social activist Joan Baez doing a concert at a local theater. The announcer observed that Ms. Baez was the recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2007. In this she joined the company of such performers as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Marion Anderson, Patsy Cline and a host of others.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is different from other Oscars or Grammys or Tonys. It represents the Academy's conviction that the nominee has made a life-long contribution to the world of cinema or music. Many trends and fads push along the public caravan, but there are some individuals whose talent and dedication stands out from all the others.
Is there a Lifetime Achievement Award for a Christian? Well, not in the sense of the accolades of the public, not in the sense of fame and fortune. Yet there is something wonderful in an exemplary, lifelong commitment to Christ. St. Paul approached the end of his own life, declaring that he had 'finished his course, fought the good fight, kept the faith.' The Lifetime Achievement Award for the faithful disciple comes not with glamor and glitz, but with a soft welcome: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your Lord!'
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