I would like to think that any good I do on this earth will matter. Not only here on earth but that it would truly matter one day before God.
I remembered recently reading ….
If our current world will be renewed at the coming of Christ, then what we do now – praying, giving, sponsoring children, building orphanages, digging wells, welcoming the homeless, caring for the earth, sharing the good news of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and campaigning for justice – will last forever. In the words of N.T. Wright, “These activities are not simply ways of making the present life a little less beastly, a little more bearable until the day we leave it all behind.”
(from God In My Everything by Ken Shigematsu, pages 195-196)
I have gone back and read these words multiple times this week. It is beginning to sink in…
It. All. Matters.
Could this be what Paul is trying to tell us? “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-14).
It all matters.
This being true, then every act of love and kindness, every word offered to encourage, each time we listen to the heart cries of the wounded, each time we pick them up and help them back on their feet, each minute we spend teaching children about the Savior, or help our neighbor, or visit the weak in hospital beds – it all is noticed by our God and it all matters.
Everything we do for others can make life more bearable, more pleasant, more hopeful. Each moment can point to the bigger story within each of our smaller stories. Each one can point to Jesus, Who alone makes this life worth living.
Each of our lives can send a ripple into eternity. Much like that pebble which hits a still lake and the ripples begin to flow outward towards the center of the lake, our lives can send ripples into eternity. Those ripples may continue on long after we are gone.
Each day of our lives, we can point others through our life, our words, our kindnesses to the only One who can fill the longings of their souls. May we remember each and every day ….
It. All. Matters.
Today I am joining with … Hear It, Use It and Mon. Musings and Making Your Home Sing and Motivation Mon. and Inspire Me Mon. and Sharing His Beauty .
Hi Joanna, I love this but then I feel overwhelmed by it too. If it all matters then… As a parent even when you have to hold firm to your stance not being able to grant them grace as they request it bc you know they need to feel the consequences too. I get to wondering if it all matters and then I doubt myself especially as they are now older and use my words right back at me! My response to them matters, how they respond matters, I get worried I’m screwing it up, them up with wrong parental stances.
Had a tough re entry after vacation with my kids and though sometimes we have to love them with discipline and that hurts them and they respond with angrier attitudes then I question did I discipline them too strongly that they say and do hurtful things in response. Discipline hurts sometimes and we pray that while they are going thru it it helps them to learn from it. Ugh! Then I wonder if I’m being disciplined by God by going thru the parenting choices I’m making and messing up.
Sorry this is long. Not sure what I’m asking but your words are making me think. That’s a good thing!
Blessings, Jen
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Jen –
I read your comment & remember well the struggle in parenting – the struggle within ourselves. I can also well remember the times my own children did not like when I had to discipline them & yes, at times, they verbalized it. Yet, in my heart, I knew the discipline was needed at that time.
Not knowing the situation for you, Jen, lean on God Who is faithful to give you the wisdom you need to know when to discipline & how to do it. And then hold onto… “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9).
Praying for you this morning that you would not become weary. Parenting can be exhausting but as we keep doing the good that God has called us to do, and yes that includes the times we must discipline them, we do reap a harvest.
You can check out my harvest as you go to work today 🙂
Love you for your transparency! You are such a precious woman & I am grateful to have met you!
Joanne
I love the book by N.T. Wright that’s quoted here. Could you tell me about the book you’re reading?
The book was “God In My Everything” by Ken Shigmatsu. Here is a link to my review… http://daysnthoughts.com/2013/08/30/god-in-my-everything/ It was truly a wonderful book.