So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. Colossians 3:1-4 MSG
Who really are those who God rewards? The talented? The smart? The celebrity? The rich? The career ministers / pastors? Or is it the obedient ones who just do what the Holy Spirit tells them to do without any fanfare or recognition by others? Does God really care how influential you are here on earth? Or how many hashmarks you’ve got on your belt of things you’ve ‘done for God in His name’? Maybe we just need to begin to ask God for His perspective on things. What does God really care about?
Some “religious” folks won’t like it that I am using The Message as my ‘scripture’ reference source in this devotional. I learned long ago language and interpretation is changing with each generation. The enemies of God have used that strategy from the very beginning … to misinterpret what God said, to try and confuse us. But Who really should be our ‘translator’ of His Word? Scholars? Professional academic seminarians? Professional pulpit speakers? Trained Bible teachers? Who do you trust? What are your ‘interpretation’ filters you use to understand the scriptures? The older I get the more I know it is absolutely necessary for EVERY believer and follower of Christ to have a strong, vital, intimate ongoing dialogue with the Holy Spirit. HE is your Teacher! (John 14:26) It’s like talking with the actual Person that the autobiography book (Bible) is about! Wouldn’t He know best when the book is ACTUALLY about Him? Your translator and guide for your life MUST be the Holy Spirit. Who actually is the One who can speak to your heart?
God isn’t looking for great and mighty ‘deeds’ for Him – He is looking for plain simple obedience to His still small prompting. God actually cares about the simple small things in your life. He wants you to listen to Him even in the smallest of details. Is that the kind of relationship you have with Him now? Conversing with Him about everything? Asking Him all sorts of questions? Quietly trusting Him and patiently listening for His answers? Is this your daily habit? Is this the kind of relationship you are building with Him?
I think many will be surprised in heaven in who has His rewards and abilities there. It won’t be the famous ones, but the unknown obedient ones – that ONLY God saw – who were just doing what He told them to do – and they did it with all their heart and life. They aren’t looking for recognition – they are obedient because they just love Him. They find joy and just doing what He asks them to do – no matter how small of a thing it is. Being a parent and loving your child is just like that. You could care less how ‘important’ they are to others – you just love them because they are YOUR child! And when they are obedient to your simple requests you can’t help but reward them.
Are you content being invisible to those around you and just doing what God asks you to do? Can you see things from His perspective? Have you asked Him to show you?