Reflections

We spend so much of our lives looking forward, anticipating needs, trying to see trouble before it arises and countering it… but the Bible encourages us to also look back and see if we are making a difference.

Mordecai’s words to Esther were gripping, “Perhaps you have been brought to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). She acted in courage and bravery when the system threatened death. When people look back at history they see she acted correctly, to save a nation, but she had a personal choice to make. 

History shows that Noah’s steadfast obedience gave earth a second chance, but he also had a personal choice to make and could’ve used his skills to go build himself a mansion at the seaside. Did young Mary’s tender obedience to bringing the Savior into the world place her on the right side of history? Absolutely! 

The question that arises is for us… in two hundred years will our lives be viewed as having made a difference? Were we people of faith and courage or compromise and self promotion? Did Christ come first, or our own kingdom of self importance? 

We need to be reflective now so we can make necessary changes, because a Bema seat judgment day is coming when we will give account of every word and deed done in our bodies and we will quickly find out what burned up as wood hay and stubble - (completely worthless in the big picture) - or what glistened with lasting value.

May we be busy laying foundations of precious gems… lasting, eternal riches, that are counted in lives lived for Christ and souls forever changed. This is our moment.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)