These thoughts came to me as I started to pray in bed, just before settling down to sleep …
The two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread (Luke 24:35; NLT).
At times we may long for some recognition, approval, or reward, however small, for all the efforts and sacrifices we make throughout our lives. However:
- The only recognition
Which really matters
Is our recognition of Jesus
As our Saviour. -
The only approval
Which really matters
Is Christ’s approval
Of how we love and serve him
In others. -
The only reward
Which really matters
Is seeing Jesus’ face,
Hearing his voice,
And receiving his embrace. -
Therefore, the only goal
Which really matters
Is to become one
With Christ Jesus our Lord
For evermore.
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).
References
In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:14; NLT).
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us (1 John 4:12; NLT).
Let love be your highest goal (1 Corinthians 14:1; NLT).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Well done, my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21; NLT).
He returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).