The Approval of People is Not Your Reward

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward….Col 3:23

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend who realized that they needed to change their attitude about their current situation and praise God instead of becoming mad at people. Their children weren’t receiving the recognition from some adults in their life they felt like they should have been receiving. My friend realized her attitude was wrong and that she needed to switch her expectations to heavenly ones.

Truthfully, don’t we all wrestle with that though? I know I do.

I spend for too much of my mental energy upset because people, on this earth, don’t give me the kind of recognition I think I deserve.

The Lord has chipped away at that over the years, but there are still parts of me, at times, that feels a bit gipped. Trust me, I know that’s wrong, because I know my reward isn’t supposed to be in this life, but in the life to come, but sometimes, I forget that. I forget to store up treasures in Heaven. I forget to remember that this is not my true home. I forget to look towards Heaven, my true home where I will live forever with God because of the risen Messiah, Jesus.

So maybe you feel like my friend and myself at times too. You forget that your rewards and your loved ones rewards are not supposed to be in this life, but in the one to come. As I was reading this morning I was reminded of the Hebrew name, Isaachar which means, “There is a reward.” Friend, there is a reward and its not in this life. It’s not in the promotion, the new job, title or status. It’s not in the home, the trophy for your kid or the applause you or they receive from people. It’s in the joy of knowing that in Christ, one day, the Father will say, “That man, that woman, they are mine. Enter into the life to come where there is no crying, death, sickness, sadness or pain.”

What a day that will be my friend. Keep your eyes on it and remember, that as you walk in humility and with great faith, even if no one notices this side of Heaven, your Father in Heaven sees you and He is glad.

Lord, my reward isn’t in this life. Forgive me when I forget. Make me more like your son, Jesus and may my heart wait with great anticipation to live eternally forever in Heaven, Amen.