Hope RevealedSampl

“One of you has reached the highest mark on this exam. I will call him up to the front now.” Then I stood up to be greeted by my professor in front of everyone. It was glorious. And it became addictive. I kept studying until 3 in the morning only to guarantee he would keep on calling my name. And he did it again and again until I gained notoriety. I became the absolute king of Marketing 101.

Then I got a night time job at a coffeehouse. I couldn’t keep that rhythm of study. And I couldn’t bear the thought of anybody else being called to the front! So I missed the next exam. Then another. Then I avoided my professor in the corridors and I finally dropped the course…

As I think about my undergrad days, I can see the foolishness. I was working hard for the sake of approval, recognition. I needed everyone to know my worth. What about you? What gives you a sense of purpose in your life — what drives you? Some of us live seeking status, comfort, security… And only near death do we realise: it was all fleeting, if not foolish.

But look at Jesus. “He is risen”. He IS the “Everlasting Father”. He defeated death! Now he offers us life and meaning… beyond this life. From now on, it’s not what we do that matters, but who we do it for and why — we do it for Jesus’ sake because we love him and because we are grateful. And one day he will call our name and say, in front of everyone who’s ever lived: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And that’s proper glory.