(This is going to be a quick reflection while I watch and play with my second daughter, Esther <3)
Have you found yourself inside a courtroom?
I have. For good reasons. Several times actually. Again, for many good reasons.
I remember the mixed emotions trying to engulf my whole being, one after another. The feeling of relief, sadness, fear to name a few. You see, I always strive to be a proponent of good, of what is right and just, and fair, also of mercy so my prayer has always been to get what is good, just, and fair. Yes, inside me, I desire for it to happen. “Not my will but Yours be done,” I silently uttered. For I know His will is always good and for the good.
I looked around and saw several different people. All of them attending to their own cases. I am sure they are feeling what I am feeling too; maybe anxious, scared, nervous, or confused. It’s like a quiet room but our hearts and minds are loud waiting to be heard and justified. I was then led to sincerely pray for them. I don’t know the history of their cases, or of what they’re fighting for, or of who’s right or wrong, I just know they are at the courtroom for some good reasons. And then I saw the person on the defense side. I, too, acknowledged that he must have his own fair feelings of where he is at the moment. Truth of the matter, it’s difficult to pray for a person who’s goal is nothing but to advance his selfish agenda. (I honestly do not have words of how to simply refer his actions.) But I did, I prayed for him that he, too, will experience peace in his heart. It was easier than I thought.
And then I looked at the judge’s chamber. The judge is yet to come out. One of the staff had announced that the judge is getting ready to come out. The sight of the chamber and the waiting create a whole new perspective in me. The word judge and the thought of him coming out has somehow increased the different sentiments I was having. Will he find favor in me? Will he believe what I say? Are my reasons reasonable enough for him? What does he think of me? These and many others started to flood my mind. All of a sudden, a great revelation came to me, this feeling of uneasiness or excitement or anxiousness should be what I should be having while anticipating for the return of Jesus, when He finally judges us of what He has entrusted. Am I ready? Will He find me favorable? Will He believe in everything I’ll say? Or will He condemn me to eternal suffering and death? The latter thought frightened me. I don’t want to be found unprepared or guilty or ill-considered to inherit the Kingdom of God, His promise of eternal life.
The experience was a great reminder again to align my personal pursuits to honor Him. It was another great wake up call of checking where or what am I doing to make progress in attaining the Great Prize, in working hard to acquire heaven.
Friends, I hope you do too and even more. May we be responsible of what we have received. Everything is His. May we help one another to get “there.” Let us try harder to be accountable to each other.
God bless you.
Luke 22:42, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Revelation 22:12, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Psalm 75:7, “But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.”
Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule the world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (NLT)
2 Chronicles 20:15, “…for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Philippians 1:6, “…He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Amen!