Upside Down
There are so many things that are not as they appear to be. There are families that seem to be healthy that are broken. There are businesses that seem successful that are failing. Appearances can be deceiving. I think it’s important to look past the appearances before drawing a conclusion. I remember being enamored with people who “appeared” successful because they had a lot of “personal possessions” only to learn that they were drowning in debt.
Jesus was teaching His disciples about God’s economic model and how this life is preparation for the life to come – eternal life. It’s a faith concept for sure because no one has been to the next life and come back to this life to tell us more about it. Jesus tells us about it. Jesus did come back from the dead as did Lazarus. He reminds us that serving in God’s economy will yield a return on investment (ROI) called eternal life. Check this out…
29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (Mark 10:29-31 NLT)
I noted three words…. “along with persecution” to those who follow Jesus. I know I’ve lost business because I’m a Christ follower. I know that some have formed an opinion of me that is negative without having the first conversation with me.
I think it’s vital to remember that God’s economy is upside down compared to the world economy. There is a race to be the top dog in our culture. In God’s culture, He wants to put others first.
I want to humbly follow the Lord all the days of my life. I believe His promise of eternal life is true. I believe that following Him and serving Him here on earth is an investment in eternity. I want to influence others to follow Him so that they can experience eternal life one day as well. I don’t really care if I’m ever famous or known by lots of people as long as I’m known by Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne