You've probably heard me say this a time or two, but this world is ending. I'm not here to make it a better place (and neither are you). I am here to give God glory, and to seek His presence. It is not by works, or by my might, or by my power that I can change a single thing, but the things done in the presence of God last forever. We live in enemy occupied territory, as C.S. Lewis put it, and the grounds we're to gain here are souls won to Christ. Some day, my body will give out, whether now, or in the future, yet souls won to Jesus Christ remain with Him forever. So I seek to just be in His presence. Some say it's by works, that you have to work out your faith (which is a scripturally misunderstood truth); but Jesus says "I am the vine, you are the branches, apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5)." Any good we can do is because of Him, and all the good we can do is done because of His presence. In the end of all things, our reward isn't a mansion on the streets of Gold (though we're promised such a great reward in that Holy City), Our Reward is the Presence of God, where we will be with Him, growing in Joy in His presence forever. So let the presence of God be enough. He will direct your paths, give you the love you lack, and teach you to be as He is. There is a reward, which we can receive how in the Holy Spirit, and then, someday, face to face: To just be in His presence, and that is more than enough. Psalm 16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
