The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis is one of my all-time favorite books. A fictional account about the narrator's trip to hell and heaven, I love the imagery and the lessons we can glean about what is and what's not truly important. At one point on his journey deeper and deeper into the heavenly landscape, the narrator notices a huge parade. Musicians, girls, boys and all sorts of animals are parading in honor of a lady of great renown.
The narrator assumes that the lady must be someone who was very famous on earth. He racks is brain trying to figure out who she could be. He then asks his guide, "Is it . . . is it?" The guide to the heavenly realms declares, "It's someone [you] never have heard of. Her name on earth was Sarah Smith and she lived at Golders Green. . . . She is one of the great ones. [You] have heard that fame in this country and fame on Earth are two quite different things."
Jesus said that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are the servants of all (Mark 10:43-44). Servants aren't normally in the limelight. Often they're found quietly obeying all that their masters have called them to do. Jesus calls us to love and to serve all people, even our enemies: "I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5:44).
Serving others on a daily basis doesn't make for fame in this world. Yet our obedience to God revealed through our faithful love and service to Him and to others—even in the little things—is what God notices and celebrates (Luke 16:10).
We might not be famous in the world's eyes, but as C. S. Lewis so beautifully illustrates, such a posture of love and service makes us 'famous' in God's eyes and reflects Jesus' example (Mark 10:45). —Marlena Graves
Mark 10:42-45 Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant (v.43).
Revelation 22:12 to see how God views the importance of the things you do.
How are you encouraged by what it means to be famous in God's eyes? Who needs you to humbly, lovingly serve them today?
GENESIS 6:9-22
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Our Daily Journey
Ficción históricaWe're glad you've come along for a journey into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Take time to read through this brief list. Then sit down and spend a few minutes reading today's devotional article. You'll find our writers speak to real-lif...
