Gold Stars
“…and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ” This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:17, NASU
Remember getting a gold star on your school paper in grade school? Even adults love it. This I know, for on my accounting job in a corporate office setting, after I had finished reconciling the credit card expense report of a staff’s individual month expenditures, I would send a “gold star’ back to one or more in an email, if deserving. That is if they did their work accurately and in excellent order.
I loved rewarding those doing a job well done. And they loved it if they got one! A gold star!
That may have happened a few years ago, but just today I heard someone say they had heard another express how they had loved getting them. I’ll have to start it again.
People receive and appreciate affirmation. We all love gold stars.
What was it like when your dad and mom said to you, “Good job” after you knew you did a job well done on the task, no matter how small or large, that they had given you to accomplish? It felt good, right?
Imagine if God the Father spoke out loud to you, in the presence of others, as He did for Jesus, saying, “This is My beloved son (or daughter) in whom I am well pleased.” What would that do for your spirit! It sure would cause mine to soar!
Affirmation, or being assured of who you are or what you have done, is so vital to each of us. Many did not receive it growing up, though. No father or mother who gave approval but should have. Or not having a good teacher, who acknowledged your best efforts, but missed it. Maybe it was a sports coach who really loved the other one but rarely noticed you. (Sit on the bench as I did in football senior year? At least #88 was between #87 and #89. Comrades on the bench.)
We can be confident that once we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, that He affirms us. When the Father sees us, He sees Jesus, His Holy Spirit, in us. And He is well pleased. With His precious blood having covered all our sins, through His death on the tree, what the Father sees then is His redemption having been received by those who call on His Son’s Name for salvation.
Not only should we desire affirmation, but we should also seek to keep doing those things which deserve being acknowledged, and even doing so even if it doesn’t. (For our God sees all.) Paul urges us to keep striving to do that which pleases our Lord and to do it continually and increasingly in our lives.
“Therefore, brothers, just as you learned from us how you had to live in order to please God, and just as you are living this way now, we ask you — indeed, united with the Lord Yeshua, we urge you — to keep doing so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Yeshua.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3, Complete Jewish Bible
Be affirmed in your knowledge of your place in the Lord’s heart. Then practice affirming those around you, encouraging them to keep striving and not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Getting gold stars is minor compared to the crowns we will receive once we reach our heavenly destination and eternal rewards. Won’t that be great!
Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #456 – in the year of our Lord 09.010.19 – “Gold Stars” – Tuesday, 6:00 pm
