No more ostrich necks in the sand!

I read something recently that I really like.  The writer says the following: “Salvation comes to those who recognize their unworthiness.  Unless you are unworthy, you cannot be saved.  Rewards come to those who are recognized for their worthiness.  Unless you are worthy, you will not be rewarded….If there really is a payoff in heaven that holds implications for Eternity, how important is it to prepare for the computation?”

Here’s how I processed this: I think that good works must flow out of a “baseline” sense of self-worth and self-confidence.  If we don’t think that we have something to contribute, then we shouldn’t waste anyone else’s time.

So much of my life has been about stirring up good works (giving, serving, feeding, helping, preaching, etc.)  for the sake of a pat on the back from God or those around me whose approval I seek.  It rarely came from that “PURE PLACE” of doing it because I wanted to.  As I have realized more of my self-worth over the years I have come to enjoy and appreciate me not as I please people, but as I just am.

Now here comes the theological part.  If God has rewards with Him that He plans to bestow on his servants, isn’t it a good thing to confidently and robustly pursue those things?    I ran a marathon in 2006 and I would have never finished the race if I didn’t experience joy and confidence before and even during the endeavor.  I ran hoping to finish well.  And I did!

We can’t have a dark cloud overhanging our works of service and giving as unto God.  We must do it with joy and zeal and confidence.  God wouldn’t accept anything less!  No more ostrich necks in the sand!