Age has a way of bringing us to a point where we can’t help but reflect on things. Thoughts of what could have been or should have been ruminate in our minds and although we can’t get back the years, we can choose to make the most of the years left. Although I have accomplished far more than I ever envisioned in my life through the grace of God and gifts given to me, I am quite sure of my salvation, not because of works, but because of His faithfulness. When God speaks of His love and its persevering power, we can all be assured we are one of the many fruits of His love, known as saints.

Matthew 6:21 tells us this, “Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be there also.” God treasures us. That is a most profound statement. Although this verse was a descriptive instruction for man in terms of prioritization of the heart, the one who spoke it, Christ, demonstrated over and over again what He treasured. His love secured the treasure, us. Consider your day to day activities, your passions, efforts, and perseverance toward tasks. What, at the end of the day, are you trying to secure, complete? In the presence of God, I won’t lie, I don’t think of people as treasure enough. I find people confusing, frustrating, irritating, and at times, downright evil, as am I. So love does not have much to do with how I feel or even think about them in frustrating moments or exhilarating ones. After reading scripture, hearing an amazing song, or being in the presence of the Spirit, I know feeling has little do with the instruction to love. That instruction does not change. It has much more to do with how I act in terms of what I know God has put on my heart to do for His kingdom and people in general. The best way I can love people is by doing what God put me here to do. In other words, the work God gives me to do, is the best way I can serve and love people. If I do the work, and refrain from getting caught up in how I feel or think in certain situations, I’ll be productive. Our perspectives and feelings are secondary to obedience to the call.

Over and over again, I have come across people from my past that I did not want to be around or talk to. I showed them respect and kindness when they did not deserve it, or even put them in check when they did not expect it. They thanked me later. Frankly, when I saw them, I did not want to have a conversation, but I was glad I did. It boiled down to this conviction each time, every believer’s life is a mission at its core, since they were born again. This truth requires us to embrace the things that God has set out for us to do. It requires the fruit of the Spirit, love for enemies, humility, a keen sense of justice, self-control, and disposition to serve. We need to cease all grandiose thinking about what our lives should be like and simply seek God’s face day to day to see how we might serve in our callings more efficiently. The New Covenant has provided us with everything we need to be coworkers with Christ. He seeks to add others to His “treasured possession.” He has given us the privilege of being part of this work.