A couple of months ago, my former employer, a university in Montreal, informed me of the decision of the university senate to officially grant me the title of Professor Emeritus. They also noted that this designation is honorific only and does not have any other privileges associated with it. Most of my former colleagues would probably be very pleased to hear this. They may consider it as a real honor to have this. But what do they receive in reality? It is just empty words, vanity of vanities, absolutely meaningless.

In ancient time, people built a high tower trying to reach the heavens so that they might make a name for themselves (Gen. 11). Wasn't this foolish or nonsense? Actually all the mankind everywhere in all ages pursues either fame or gain. Yet both fame and gain are just like a snare or a trap to attract people to fall into. Who can avoid this? Probably no one can. On the other hand, no one would hate his own name. Rather, everyone loves his own name. Moreover, he even loves his name and title so much that he would pay a big price for his gravestone, inscribed in memory of his death. Today many epitaphs may still be found everywhere. Isn't this all vanity?

In the early 1950's there was a movie titled "The Ugly Duckling" about the biography of the Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen, performed by Danny Kay. To this day I still remember the scene vividly. In a cold and wet snowy evening, one theater in Copenhagen made the debut of "The Ugly Duckling". There was a kind of advertisement board standing on the ground beside the entrance gate of the theater, showing the title of this show, the names of the leading actor and actress, etc. All the letters were large enough to be seen from the street. The author's name Andersen was also there, except that it was at the very bottom of the board, in very small print that was hardly noticeable. At that moment, the real author, Hans Christian Andersen, was standing there beside the board, but no one paid any attention to him. Suddenly a horse carriage raced by, causing mud to be splashed on the board just high enough to cover Andersen's name. Looking around to make sure that no one was watching, Andersen took out his handkerchief and carefully wiped away the mud from the board. Then he seemed to be satisfied. O how he treasured and loved his name! In fact, throughout human history, and in every place, everyone is just the same.

More than ten years ago, our university needed a new library building and called for generous contributions, both from within and outside the university community. I was appointed as the department representative to promote and campaign for this huge project. I myself made financial contributions for five consecutive years. Eventually, when the library was built, all the distinguished contributors' names were inscribed on one marble wall inside the main entrance, including my name and probably also with my title. Today I regret the inscription of my name there. It is not only against the principle of giving, but also demonstrating the ugly self-exaltation.

The apostle Paul did not care about evil reports or good reports (2Cor 6:8). Rather, one thing he did, he pursued diligently toward the goal (Phil 3:13,14), that is, keeping the faith, fighting the good fight, and finishing the course (2Tim 4:7). What Paul cared for was a word of approval from the Lord (Matt 25:21,23) and a crown of righteousness at the Lord's coming back. This is indeed a good pattern for us to learn and practice. We should not care for our names and titles in this world, rather, we should rejoice and praise Him all day long since our names are in the book of life forever (Phil 4:3), and that is the most important thing to us. In addition, we also need to pay full attention to the reward we may receive before the judgment seat, which could be a crown or a title of honor (Isa 45:4, NIV). Let us encourage one another and pursue toward the goal together for a real name and title.

Bro. Joseph