Journal Entry ~ 09/02/18

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. - 1 Corinthians 3:11-13

What you have done with what He has given you is all that will be left in your crown on Judgment Day. Everything else will burn up. All your sin, every harsh word that you spoke, every moment you wasted on selfish passions - it will all be gone. The only thing left will be what you have done for Him with what you have been given. 

Some may read that and think they need to go out into the world in order to do great things for the kingdom. They need to change jobs or move, or they need to adventure out into the world to bring the Gospel to people on far away lands because their current life or situation couldn’t possibly bring glory to God. Some people think their life is too ordinary to bring God glory. 

We don’t only bring glory to God in the big moments, we often bring Him the greatest glory in the millions of little moments in our lives. Sipping a cup of coffee while listening to a friend, taking a meal to someone who needs it, opening scripture with your child when they’re struggling, loving your spouse when they’re unlovable - these are the moments we can do the greatest work for the kingdom. These are the moments - if spent well - that will remain in our crown. 

While it may be true that God calls some people to travel far for Him or to preach to large crowds, that's not His call for the majority of us. He wants us to do much with the lives He has given us, right here where He placed us. There is no mistake that He planted you in the family, in the neighborhood, in the job that you have. Our lives, our conversations - every little relationship matters, there is no need to go further. He wants us to work with what we have right here. 

Personally, I think it's more challenging to bring the Gospel in our hometown to people we know rather than it is to travel far and share His Word. It's easy to be energized and to live a Christ centered life for a short period of time with people you barely know, but much more challenging to do it where you live and work. You are known in your hometown. People who do life with you have seen you at your worst. They know you when you're tired or frazzled or frustrated. This is where the real work takes place. Every little relationship matters - they have been specifically chosen for you.  Choose your interactions wisely, and make every moment one that will survive the fire. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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