One of the greatest blessings from the Lord to those who have trusted in His name for their salvation is the removal of the desire for accolades, for certificates of accomplishments, for the rewards and honors that come from this world.
We are no longer overachievers for that which is not eternal.
But this does not give us an excuse to be lazy, to not attempt to better ourselves in that which He has blessed us with talents to use, it does mean though the attitude in which we reach for those goals.
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)
That is the purpose of this world, to gain more, and the only way to do that, legally at least, is to apply yourself diligently to the task at hand.
“That’s just the way it is” should not be in our vocabulary, but great caution must be applied if you desire to climb that ladder of success. Few men who start in the basement of the building desire to remain there, they apply themselves, learning the trade they are employed in, but in doing so it can be quite easy, and tempting, to forget that all they are striving for here is only temporary.
“For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.” (Eccl. 2:21)
I have found in my own life that if I still find myself struggling to attain a goal, after a certain period of time, that perhaps that goal is unreachable for me, I do not have the propensity to attain it. I personally believe that the Almighty gives each of us a certain skill set, a talent or two that we are proficient at, but I also believe that it is up to us to hone that talent.
And my friends, it may not always be what you want to do, very few people can honestly say that they completely enjoy what they do for a living, but none can use the excuse of being trapped in that position.
Here is the point then of this short letter to you today, initiative is what drives us, but if we do not apply Matthew 6:20 first, it will not matter. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
The Most High does not give one consideration to the rewards and achievements you have earned in this life, He is no respecter of persons, but He is very concerned with how you glorify Him while you are attempting to “climb that ladder” of success.
Does He get the glory? Are you willing to leave what might be your life’s work if He calls you someplace else? Can you count everything that you have achieved in and for the world in this life as dung?
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)
The One who had no place to lay His head owns everything, and while He may not be calling you to sleep outdoors as well, He is asking you to consider who it is that gave you those natural talents in the first place, who it is that is directing your steps, and if pride enters into your heart, He may decide to direct your steps in ways you never imagined.
Humility and reverence for His gifts are our path, not the acknowledgement of the world and its gifts.
A job well done by those who have been crucified with Christ is always a job done for Him.
Is it wrong to attempt to succeed in this world? It is if you forget Him. But just as dangerous is the one who becomes slothful, for in that he dishonors the name of the Lord by his laziness.
There is no balancing point here, the path is clear before us, do all within your power to be the best that you can be with what He has blessed you with, humbly acknowledging Him with every step.
