Hi how are you all today? Yes, this post is late but I have a reason. I have just been to a writers conference. I left my home on Thursday morning and didn’t arrive back home until Sunday night. So I have been tired. I went back to work Monday morning. The writers conference was great though. I caught up with friends and made new ones. I also learnt heaps and have lots to do and think about. How was your weekend?
Something that someone said to me over the weekend really stood out. He said you are all so open and nobody is in competition with anyone else. There is no rivalry- my words. I had noticed this at the last one I attended a few years ago. Everyone was in unity and nobody asked which church do you go to as a rule. I think one person asked me this time. It was a glimpse of what heaven will be like- all in unity in Jesus.
However getting back to no competition between us all had me thinking. If people compete against each other, there is normally some prize or award. In the writing world, success would mean making money and lots of good reviews on your books as well as lots of loyal readers. This is the world’s standard of success but it is not Gods.
For me, success is standing before Jesus and hearing His words spoken over me that are found in Matthew 25:23 in the NIV Bible. It states:
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
This verse is part of a parable but I believe Jesus will speak it over those of us who have used the gifts He has given us wisely. That is what this parable is about. The master goes away from his kingdom and entrusts his servants with money (gifts) to be used wisely whilst he is gone.
When he comes back, he asks the servants to give account. Two servants doubled their money (they each had different amounts) and were told the above- well done good and faithful servant.
The other one hid his money and was told he was wicked and tossed outside.
The rewards of the first two servants is what success looks like. Knowing that we have loved God, loved others and used what He has entrusted us with wisely.
In closing let’s look at some encouragement from Philippians 3 in the Message Bible.
Let’s start in verse 12 and it states:
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.
So how do we get to well done good and faithful servant. The above verses tell us- reach out for Jesus. Run after Him and everything He has for us. Focus on the goal of wanting everything in our life that God has for us. We want to reach people for Jesus through the gifts He has given us.
But there is a word of warning in verse 17. It states:
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.
In our journey of life, people will want us to chase other things that success looks like eg money, designer clothes, houses, followers and fame. Those paths are fleeting and will not bring us the kind of success that God has for us. God wants to prosper us but He wants to do it- not us following a different path.
So today which path are you on. The one where you are running after Jesus and will hear well done or some other path that will lead you astray.
Seek God, repent if needed, get back on the right path and live the life that God has intended for you. It will be amazing.
Bless you
Karen
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