“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24)
This past week I won a medal for being first in my class. Here’s how it happened: My wife and I entered the Breast Cancer Angels “Walk and Roll” benefit which took place on May 8, 2010. The roller skaters went first and then the walkers (that’s us) took off from the starting line about a quarter hour after the very fast roller skaters finished. We were given numbers to pin onto our new Breast Cancer Angels T-shirts (mine was no. “156”) and then we were ready to power-walk about three miles, which is a little bit less than a 5K.
I noticed on the written materials that the various categories included, “overall winner… under 10… 10-20… 20-30” and so on until it reached “60-70.” At that point as I was reading the rules, I said out loud, “What about over 70?” a couple of times, not really thinking that anyone was particularly listening, but somebody was listening. And then the starter indicated it was time to go. Off we power-walked, past trees, noisy remote control trucks that were in a field off to the side of the track; we passed volunteers handing out water, and so on. When we completed the race and crossed the finish line, there were photographers, cheers and an interesting machine that kept track of our numbers as we completed the race.
Then it was time for the awards given to the overall winner, along with first, second and third in each age category, which meant that a good percentage of those present were able to lean over in front of a race official and have a medal placed around their necks. My mind wandered after awhile, though I did notice when they were completing the “60-69” group, and then after the “walkers,” the “rollers” began to receive their awards. Photographers were busy taking pictures, medals were being placed around necks and I became distracted again as my wife and I talked about something or other.
Then came the surprise, for I heard the words “… over 70-category… where’s the over 70-winner?... Where is he?” from several voices and smiling faces were looking at me as I found myself walking forward, leaning toward the awarder and receiving a shiny medal around my neck for first place in the “over-70” category. Now, I do understand that they must have had a medal left over from someone who left early and didn’t wait around to receive theirs, and I recognize that I possibly was the only “over-70” person in the race, but this was the first medal I ever received in my life. I was so pleased that I wore it all day, into the evening, and the next day as well. I think I maybe did not deserve it, but It felt good – it STILL feels good. As our daughter-in-law, Candice, remarked, “That’s pretty good for someone who spent a good portion of his childhood in a wheelchair!” And she’s right.
I did not receive what was given because I was fast or clever. Quite a number of people finished the race before I did. The fact was, they created a whole new category just for me. I don’t know if the race officials were Christians or not, but I did finish the race. They wanted to bless me, and they did.
Paul the Apostle asked, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24). I did not “run” in that race. I walked, holding hands with my wife all the way, and I did the best I know how to do. Additionally, I do not fill vast stadiums with people as men like Dr. Billy Graham have done; I simply teach Bible studies, which is the best that I can do. But I remember today’s Scripture verses which urge us: “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). He likely has a whole new category just for you.
Have you ever thought, REALLY thought about your entry into eternity? What will it be like? Each of us should read Revelation Chapters 21 & 22. Here are excerpts from those chapters:
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:1-4).
The details of “heaven” are skimpy, but what we “see” is very beautiful, though I believe the point of giving us words in a book instead of imprinting a full-color movie into our brains, is so we will live our lives “to the Lord.” It is important to consider more than what the physical aspects of what heaven will be like, for it is “from the Lord you will receive the reward.” If we want the “inheritance,” we will be less preoccupied with the details and more inclined to “serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24) by looking to Him.
You are to “run the race,” or walk if you cannot “run.” It does no good to compare yourself with great missionaries, prayer warriors or evangelists of this world. You are merely to “run the race” with the body, mind, talents and gifts you have been given. And it isn’t your own ideas or skills that will cause you to “receive the prize;” it’s about trusting in the Lord and responding to the Holy Spirit’s leading in the context of the life that you live.
Years ago, when my second or so career collapsed and my whole life was endless temporary jobs and I realized that I was headed for a future of hundreds of little jobs that would not end until I died, I did one thing right: I confessed my failure to the Lord. Everything was sliding toward disaster, and I reminded Him that yes, I remember the call to ministry from many years ago, and yes, I failed to enter the ministry. I handed it all back to Him, said I was sorry, and began to emotionally prepare myself for death. Everything then changed, for now these Bible Studies, which is all I really know how to do, reach well over 100,000 people each month.
Look away from focusing on the “reward” and look to the “Rewarder.” In the Breast Cancer Angels “Walk and Roll” benefit, I merely walked the race and it was the race officials who chose to give me the medal. In our lives we simply trust in the Lord and do our best as He leads us. We walk “…heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord (we) will receive the reward of the inheritance; for (we) serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Lord, we love You and will “walk” where You lead us. If you want us to reach thousands or do temporary jobs, we will, for we serve the Lord Christ. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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