I am PROUD of you! These are the words we long to hear from our parents. When my Father told me he was proud of me, my soul would light up. The reason we long for approval from our parents is because we desperately want to know we did something right and good. The approval of someone we value is a reward that can’t be calculated in dollars or possessions. It’s priceless.
We long to hear the same thing from our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 25:21, 23, Jesus told the Parable of the talents. The story differentiates three slaves who were each given talents. One was foolish and reprimanded. Two of them did well and expended wisely what their Master had given them. Jesus said, “Well Done”. The greatest reward a “guiding” teacher can hear from God is “Well Done”. This parable should remind us that we should be faithful to use those “gifts and talents” the Lord has provided us. May we be found faithful in all the things God leads us to do.
When we do, I believe God lets us see FRUIT in the lives of others as a just reward. God doesn’t have to, but sometimes He wants us to know we are doing okay. Keep it up. In some ways it’s like God saying, “I am PROUD of you”.
We have a promise in Hebrews 6:10 (HCSB), “For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.” One day, we will stand before God’s throne. In spite of our many failures; in spite of a life of sin; in spite of our bad choices; God will allow us to enter heaven because of our acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior. Then the words I long to hear are; “Well done my good and faithful servant, great is your reward”.
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Sean P. Keith is the Sunday School/Discipleship Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention
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