The Vortex Funnel

 

Years ago, Hamilton Place Mall put in one of those vortex funnel coin games.  It was a fundraising gadget for a non-profit, and they made plenty of money … much of it off of me.  It had two launch ramps opposite each other so that two coins could race to the bottom of the vortex.  The longer the coins rolled, the closer they got to the end of the funnel, and the faster they went.  As they neared the narrow funnel opening at the end, they were screaming fast.  I just realized Sunday that this is exactly what is described in Philippians chapter 2.  As Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, stooped down to become a man, He shed His regal glory.  He willingly became one of us!  And as Jesus Christ died for us, He divested Himself of more of His dignity!  And with His death of the infamous cross, Jesus Christ was completely humiliated!  But … as Jesus Christ came out of that vortex funnel on the other side, God the Father highly exalted Jesus Christ!  Paul masterfully said in Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  But the beautiful part of this story is that we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ!  As we are pressed into the image of Jesus Christ, we follow His example.  And as we shed more of our pride and draw closer to Jesus Christ, we become more like Him.  The Lord squeezes us further and further into that vortex funnel.  And someday, when we pass on to our eternal reward … when we squirt out of the end of that vortex funnel … what wonderful glory will be ours!  Heaven and our dear Lord await us!  What a day that will be!