Do you think that what you are doing will last forever? Maybe. Do you think that your importance in this world will never fade?
We sometimes can be quite taken with our "place in the sun." Our egocentricities surely can get us into blurred perspective if we are not careful. However, if we are wise, we will realize our mortality. In that is our liberation.
This planet is sketched with monuments displaying individuals' titles. There are plenty of name plaques, marble-this-n-that, and self-important statues ensconced around the globe.
But one of these days, they all will be gone – disappeared - every one of them.
What then is it that can last forever as far as your influence is concerned?
Rel lives near our elderly neighbor, Bob, whose health is failing. Bob has no wife, no children, no living relative and very few friends. He spends most of his time in his cottage - very much alone except for his cats.
So Rel sees to it that Bob gets to the store for groceries, is driven to doctor appointments and mails his packages at the post office. Sometimes she treats Bob to a pastry with coffee.
Why? Because Rel is a believer.
Jesus is God Forever. Whatever is done in Jesus' name is eternally recognized by Him. In that, kindnesses offered for His praise are lifted into the everlasting. In that, such loving gifts outlast us.
One of Julius Caesar's successors as Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, got the message: "Perhaps the desire of the fleeting thing called fame torments you. See how soon everything is forgotten, and look at the chaos of infinite time on each side of the present, and the emptiness of applause, and the fickleness and lack of judgment in those who pretend to give praise, and the narrowness of its domain, and be quiet at last."
Smart fellow, that Marcus.
And so then "be quiet" in service to the Ever Jesus who enfolds your kindnesses into His eternal home.
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