Who do we want to be like? What would we like people to say about us, and how would we like them to remember us? Perhaps we want like to be one of the world's wealthy people, living a life of luxury, with everyone fawning over them and running to do whatever they ask? Or maybe we want to be like one of those movie stars we see so often in the news.
Do we want to be remembered as one who was very successful and made piles of money? No doubt this would give us a lot of respect in the eyes of those around us. Or perhaps we want history to remember us as the one who discovered something wonderful, maybe the cure for cancer.
But maybe we would prefer to be remembered as someone like Tychicus, a disciple described by Paul as a beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow worker for Christ.
How many people remember the names of all of the past prime ministers? How many people remember who Tychicus was? Does it matter to God? No. God prefers a faithful servant over someone who got lots of publicity because he was good looking or rich.
If someone would ask in our congregation or where we work how they would describe us, what strong qualities will they be able to point out about us? What kind of testimony are we leaving in our society? That we were faithful to the company or faithful to God? That we were faithful to our non- believing friends and followed them in what they did so they would not reject us? Were we good buddies when it came to drinking and going to movies (and ones we might not even want our children to see)?
Or do our neighbors and friends at work and in the congregation recognize in us faithful servants of God? Do they know that we are always ready to help our neighbor, even when it is not convenient, even when we will make no profit or gain respect from it? Are we ready to look different or strange because we refuse tempting offers, all because we are faithful to the Lord?
I want to be remembered as a beloved sister, faithful servant of Jesus, and a faithful fellow-worker for God. One day when I meet Jesus, the words I most want to hear are, "Well done, you good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).
- 12 MARCH -