Devotion #3: Heavenly Compliment

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11 

Before I dive in, I want to define a couple of words in this verse. A quick Google search tells us that “zeal” means “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an object,” and that “fervent” means “having or displaying a passionate intensity.” 

I am not the biggest fan of words of affirmation. In fact, when someone compliments me, I usually get awkward and do not quite know how to respond. Thinking over this verse, though, I imagined what it would be like to stand in front of the Lord one day, entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Will He look at what I did here on Earth and say, “You served me with zeal and a fervent spirit,” or will He ask, “Why didn’t you do more?” I sure hope it is the former; the joy I would feel knowing that my Heavenly Father is proud of me would compare to nothing else. That is the only compliment that I genuinely hope I will receive and the only one I strive for. 

Something that has been weighing on my heart recently is the knowledge that I will not be in the position or place that I am in forever. I keep thinking, “Do the best you can in the place you are in.” I have a habit of looking at what is next. Rather than being in the moment and enjoying what is happening now, I anticipate what is to come. Obviously, there is wisdom in preparation and planning, but if the only thing you are doing is planning for the future, you do not have time to stop and appreciate what the Lord has given you now.  

If I am to be remembered in generations to come, I so deeply hope it is not for anything that I specifically did but for how I did it, fervently and with great zeal for the Lord. I pray that is my influence on others and I can encourage them to have a fervent desire to serve the Lord. I hope this is how people see my service to the Lord, not cutting corners because I am lazy and want to get it done to check off a box. 

So, while I have this position, my prayer will be: “Lord, help me to be prepared for what You have in store for the future. Show me the opportunities that I have right in front of me while I wait for the next door to open. Help me to serve You with passion and enthusiasm, knowing my reward will be in Heaven.”