Tag: Reward in Heaven

Trials Only for a Little While

I feel as though I am always being persecuted and going through trials. I feel as though I am never given a moment to just enjoy.

“6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,” — 1 Peter 1:6 (ESV)

As Peter says here those trials are “for a little while”. I have to remember that where God will put me through trials, it is really only for a little while. I am not tested continually. I am given tests to build up my endurance and then I am given the chance to use that endurance in the completion of the work He has for me. I am then able to rejoice in the accomplishment of the work and move on to the next.

Yes, I am not really rewarded here in this world other than knowing that I have indeed done the work God has for me. And those tests seem to be coming and remaining for the long haul. But, I have to remember that this is not my final destination. I am only here in this world for a little while and only really just passing through. I have heaven waiting for me and my time in heaven will be an eternity while my time here in this world is finite and short by comparison.

Knowing that I am in this world for only the short while, the trials that come are only during my time here in this world and therefor are short. These trials are only for a little while and are building up my endurance so that I will have the strength to do Gods Work. And that work will be for the long haul in heaven. I am being prepared for the eternity of work for God.

What a revelation for me this morning. I am being prepared in my short time here in this world to enjoy my long time of eternity in heaven. I will be able to fully enjoy my eternity thanks to the trials and tests I am experiencing in this world. The short term tests are good for my long term joy.

What are you going through in this world? Are you looking at these trials as the long haul? What if you were to look at these trials as the temporary and know that the eternity with God in heaven is what you are being prepared?

Suffer and Rejoice in Belonging to Christ

I have written about wearing the badge of Christ proudly. This morning I was brought back to the same passage in 1 Peter and found that it more than wearing the badge of Christ and being proud to do so. I have to know that it is all part of the design.

“13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” — 1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)

For all the suffering that comes with belonging to Christ, there is also rejoicing that comes as well. I have to remember that the suffering is for the rejoicing. I am here to do the work of Christ. I have already been promised my reward and it is great. I get to be a part of the glory of God. And that glory is, well, it comes after much suffering that I signed up for.

Christ suffered in His ministry. He was ridiculed, defamed, and then beaten and crucified. And yet, He continued as it was all as designed by God. He was designed by God. He was tasked by God. He was rewarded by God. I am part of the same. I am designed by God. I am tasked by God. I am rewarded by God. All of me and what I do is designed by God.

In that I am in like kind with Christ, I am also to continue on like He. I am to do the work, knowing that there will be suffering. And then in the same time, I have to remember that my reward has already been determined.

I do the work and reap the reward, not from this world but from God. I belong to Christ and not this world and so whether I am deemed a success or failure in this world, as I have done the work of God, I am seem as a success in the only one that matters, GOD.

Belonging to Christ is a duty and an honor. I cannot pay back all that was given as there is no way to pay back the fact that someone died so that I can live. What I can do is continue to do the work that I am tasked with, by design, and know that all is well thanks to by belonging to Christ.

What are your thoughts on belonging to Christ? Do you feel like you should only have the good that comes? What if you just accepted the honor of belonging to Him and then accepted that you have work to do and that the end result is already determined and your reward is already won?