“I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2Timothy 4:6-8 KJV)
When we began our lives together 40 years ago, Bobbie and I had such dreams and goals. We wanted to be rich beyond imagination, of course our imaginations hadn’t developed much beyond payday.
Yet as we pursued our careers and our resources increased, so did our dreams and goals. We enjoyed all sorts of fun, like eating out and exploring local attractions and vacations at the beach or mountains.
Then we had the opportunity to go to Eastern Canada and be missionary pastors. We gave away everything and moved there. Expenses were soon rolling in. We couldn’t go out as much as we had back home with a two incomes, but we were doing the Lord’s work and loving every moment of it.
It is easy for the enemy to tempt us when we can look around and see others, seemingly less committed and faithful, yet enjoying better financial circumstances. We begin to wonder about our own commitment to doing more for less. Now, working for the Lord isn’t about getting a pile of wealth, yet it is nice for pastors to pay the bills and have insurance for their families.
Well, we could have stayed in Alabama and continued in our careers with greater financial resources. And, in all honesty, we could have returned to them at any time we chose. Instead, we submitted to the call of God and the walk of faith. It is important to remember this and not ignore the fact that God didn’t fail us then and never has since we began.
We pastors struggle against the temptation to have more and more almost constantly, and we don’t always win over it. But we are determined to fight the good fight and finish our course. There is a crown of righteousness reserved for us and it is far more valuable than anything this world could ever provide for us.
Dear Father, thank you for the crown you have reserved for us in Jesus Christ. Empower us to focus on the present with a constant view toward the eternal impact of our lives. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous in your focus,