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How often I think that if I could simply remove myself from all worldly temptations, or they from me, my holiness (however small) would remain intact.
However, this is not so, because it is too worldly and overly simple a solution to a more fundamental problem. And although I must flee temptation, there comes a point where I must face it, and no amount of distancing myself will conclude in victory. Therefore, a deeper weapon resides for me to fight with. I must take up my crown of humility, which is very likely not a crown of earthly splendor at all. It is, in all likeliness, more of a tarnished helmet.
Take for example the soldier who fights for his King. He wears his helmet for protection, not for glory. However, his helmet represents something, or rather the style and make of his helmet point to where he is from and ultimately who he fights for. In this way, in victory the glory is given to the king when people look at the victor's armor and say, "These are the Macedonians, and they fought and conquered for Phillip."
In the same way, I must wear my humble crown, my tarnished helmet, so that I may be protected and have victory. However, just like the soldiers, my humbleness must point to the king I serve and give him the glory. For soldiers do not wear helmets to bring themselves glory, but out of a necessity to live and to conquer the enemy. Likewise, I should wear my humbleness in order that my death to self will cause Christ to become my reason to fight and that this humility will protect me and ultimately give glory to God in victory rather than myself. For I could not have conquered without remaining humble and admitting that I am weak without Christ.
Therefore, we must take up our tarnished helmets and fight for a glory that is not our own. It is only then, in this way of thinking, that victory will be had time and time again.
C.R.M
Edit: new blog is henryandthehollow.blogspot.com/
