You’re Not Home Yet
March 13
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Hebrews 10:35
Bill and Della had been missionaries in Africa for twenty-seven years when God called them from the field; it was time they returned to the States. As it happened a professional athlete had shared their flight, fresh off his most recent victory, the medal he’d won draped around his neck. Passengers and crew alike had jockeyed for the chance to meet him.
Arriving at their daughter’s home following the twenty hour flight, Bill was still thinking about how childish people had been, vying for the athlete’s attention. “I wonder,” he grumbled, “if people had known what we went through for the past twenty-seven years, if they’d have paid as much attention to us as they did to someone who gets paid millions of dollars a year to play a game?! It’s not right; there should have been a homecoming celebration for us!”
Always the pragmatist, Della suggested, “Why don’t you go tell the LORD how you feel and see what He has to say about it.” She watched as Bill entered his son-in-law’s study, intending to do just that.
A short time later Bill emerged, his countenance completely changed. Della asked, “So, what did God say?”
Bill smiled sheepishly, “He said, ‘Don’t worry, Bill, you’re not Home yet.’”
†
Most of us, if we’re being honest, are just like Bill. There is a deep-seeded desire for personal affirmation and attention…we want recognized for our accomplishments.
Apart from the help of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to watch others receive accolades, while we go about serving Christ largely unnoticed without becoming resentful.
When we place our confidence in what men think about our actions, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment, because for the most part, they themselves are seeking approval and aren’t thinking about our accomplishments ahead of their own.
God promises us a reward if we place our confidence in Him. In doing so, we find satisfaction and peace that men cannot provide, even in flattery.
Heaven is our true Home. When we get there, our Creator will tell us exactly what we’ve longed to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Prayer
“Help me look to You for everything I need, LORD, especially where recognition is concerned. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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