“Well
done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew
25:21).
Not
only are these words spoken to Christ's children who have passed on
to be with Him, but they are also spoken for those that serve Him in
this world, but are not recognized for their service. They are spoken
for those who quietly work for Him faithfully, who face trials and
suffering without announcing their plight, and share His love
wherever it is needed without needing recognition.
If
I serve Him faithfully here on earth, then I do enter into a fuller
spiritual life of His joy. It is one where earthly recognition of
service means nothing, but His recognition means everything. This
world may never recognize my service for Him, but He knows, and He
rewards, not with earthly fame or riches, but with the incredible
gift of His joy. It is His joy that brings peace when facing pain. It
is His joy that no one can steal from me. There is nothing on earth
that offers His kind of joy.
Whatever
suffering I quietly face–whatever
I do in His name without notice,
I will serve Him without the need of earthly recognition. My
suffering or circumstance will spur me to serve, and His joy will
come, not as a reward of what I have done, but as a reward of my
heart given away in spite of my own pain.
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