by Jeri Johnson
a The Kids & Me contributor
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
Several months before I retired from my former job, I had a performance evaluation. It went well, but I said to my supervisor, “You are not fair to me. You give me special projects to do while others are on their cellphones or on the internet.” His response was: “That’s true; but I know that if I tell you something, you will do it. That is not always true with others. And besides, you get a better evaluation, not only in terms of what I put in your personnel file, but in the amount of money you make."
And that is, in essence, how God treats us. He makes demands on our behavior that He does not require of the world such as turning the other cheek, praying for those who spitefully use us, and loving our enemies. But when we come to the end of our lives, we will have a better evaluation. So let us not grow weary as we see evidence of the eminent rapture of the church.
On those Sundays when you are tired, think about your evaluation and make that extra effort to go to church. Think about your evaluation when you go outside and notice that your neighbor has a nicer car than yours, but he may not be making regular contributions to his house of worship. Think about your evaluation when you see those who have no wish to go to church, but are out washing their cars or participating in some sports events. Think about your evaluation as a single parent when you look at a two-parent household and think they have it made, and realize that God is your anchor of support and completion.
Think about your evaluation any time you put His will above that of your own. Look forward to the day that you stand and look in His face and hear those immortal words: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord”, (Matthew 25:23).