Heaven's Eyes
“What do we profit by keeping His command?”
It is SO tempting to ask this question. If I’m totally honest, there have been plenty of times when I’ve asked Him: what’s the point? God, if following you prevents me from getting what I want - then why do I do it? Why do I bother? What am I doing here? Is it worth it? Are You worth it?
The world is telling me I’m crazy. Today, I feel crazy. If You’re not real, then I actually am crazy. Why am I giving You myself and my time and my energy and my money? If this life is all there is, why don’t I just live it up?
What’s in it for me?
Such little words but when you line them up in that order, they cause a lot of damage. What’s in it for me? It sounds awful to write it or say it out loud, but I’m willing to bet we’ve all been there. I’m willing to bet we’ve asked Jesus, “What’s in it for me?” at least once.
And though we typically ask that question out of selfishness or frustration or even malice, God still receives us with love. Our Father looks straight into the middle of our longing, of our angst and frustration. And He responds with love. He responds, “What’s in it for you? Everything. Everything that actually matters: Love. Belonging. Family. Victory. Freedom.” Even though it doesn’t always feel like it,
It’s all for you.
God is FOR us. Everything He does is so that we can be closer to Him. He’s desperate for us to know His love. And so, He will shape us and form us and love us into becoming our true selves - generous, thoughtful, kind, brave, pure, honest, loving - every good thing.
We were built for that. We were made to be good and hope in something good. And it’s only when we put our hope in something other than love that we start to ask, “What’s in it for me?” So when that question pops up, ask yourself...
Where am I putting my hope?
If we put our hope into a job or a spouse or a goal or status, we will always be disappointed. Every time. Because we live in an imperfect world with imperfect people and imperfect circumstances.
Our hope has to be greater than our fear, greater than our confusion, greater than our bitterness, greater than our insecurity. Our hope has to rest in our Father. If not, we’ll spend our lives perpetually disappointed. And that’s not the life our Father had in mind for us.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
Our life is meant to be rich and full and meaningful. And that kind of life has to be focused out - on others - not on ourselves. When I ask, “What’s in it for me?” I’m having a weak moment - I’ve lost the big picture and God’s vision.
So instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?” I’m going to start asking, “What am I missing? What am I not seeing? God, where are You in this? Bring me up to Your level; I want to see with Your eyes. I want to see with Heaven’s eyes.”
Father,
We love You. You are so good to us. Even when we don’t see it.
Thank You for always working FOR us and never against - even when we don’t deserve it, even when we’re selfish, even when we expect the worst.
Thank You for knowing what we need. Thank You for building a world that’s bigger than us and our little annoyances and frustrations and disappointments.
Thank You for starting with love every time. You are just the best.
Help us to see outside of ourselves. Help us to look around and ask for Heaven’s eyes, for Heaven’s vision, for Heaven on Earth.
You are so good. Help us to be like You.
We love You, God. You’re the best.