You know what? I get it. I understand that times are tough, life is hard and every day, it’s more challenging to know the right thing, much less do it.
It’s easier to compromise. It’s quicker to quit. It’s hard to hang on.
But, remember your reward.
Our choices are not just about today; they impact eternity.
Think about it for a moment.
When you serve, why do you it? When you give, what’s the reason?
Jesus said that if you do it for the recognition of others, you have your reward, but if you do it for God, He will reward you.
How do you respond when you face challenges because of your faith? It’s tempting to run and hide rather than face persecution, but Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Think of Abraham, who must have gazed longingly at stars for many moons, wondering when and how God would keep his promise to make Abraham’s descendants outnumber them.
God kept his promise to make Abraham into a great nation, but that was not his reward. For God said to him: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)
You see, we’re a lot like Abraham. God blesses us in many ways, and he even blesses others through us. But, HE is our reward.
So how we live should reflect that fact.
I think that’s what Paul was talking about when he wrote, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
All he wanted in life was to know Christ. He said, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8)
That’s the goal he was reaching toward.
Jesus.
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Read more “31 Things I want My kids to Know,” a 31-day series I’m writing as part of the Write 31 Days challenge. I hope you’ll join me!