Monday, May 13, 2013

Our Reward


Purple Flowers*

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Genesis 15:1

No matter what we do for Him, how we serve Him, how we follow Him. We aren’t looking for a reward of this earth, we’re looking to Him. Sure, He may choose to bless us here, He so often does. He’s full of generosity. But our truest and greatest reward is Him, both now and eternally.
What does that mean? How do I experience Him now? 

How often have you felt an aching in your heart, an unnamed longing? Then, you see something beautiful, hear something glorious, taste something exquisite? Those moments of pure pleasure are moments when God is wooing us to Himself. So, do you connect with Him in those moments? If you do, what happens inside when you do? 

Sometimes life is so busy, we gloss over those moments. We barely allow ourselves to stop for even one second and breathe in the fragrance of lavender or carnations. What are we afraid of? Not getting something else done? Being late for a meeting? See, the issue is we’re looking for value in all our doing. Validation. A means to prove we matter, that we’re important. But our value isn’t in what we do. It’s in being. Just being. God created you, therefore, you’re valuable. Period. No matter what you do. 

We’re also trying to fill up a void in our hearts, like I mentioned above. And somehow all the busyness is supposed to help. But it doesn’t. 

Sometimes we just need to stop.

On a walk in the delightful spring weather one afternoon, my daughter just stopped, threw her arms out wide, and closed her eyes to take it all in. The breeze and sunshine, the time together. Priceless moments.

What about prayer encounters with God? Do we stop, breathe, close our eyes and just take Him in?
If we do, we’re receiving a reward here on earth. Refreshing for thirsty, busy souls. Raindrops in the desert. Sunlight in the forest.

Just stop. Breathe. Focus in on God. Let Him fill you up. 

He is your exceeding great reward. Now and forever. 

* Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Purple Flowers by Natara.