The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Recently, I heard a song on the radio; the lyrics made me think about what it will be like to stand before Jesus someday. When day-to-day circumstances seem too large, I try to shift my focus from temporal things to an eternal perspective.
At the end of my earthly life, Jesus won’t ask:
Did you make straight A’s in school? Did you ever finish that Master’s Degree?
Did you accomplish every item on your To Do List each day?
Did you make up your bed every day? Was your house always clean for guests?
Did you get promoted to Vice President? Did you get the corner office?
Did you have a big house and a nice car?
But I believe he will ask other questions. He will ask . . .
How well did you love . . .
the friends I put in your path?
that man on the street with no home and no food?
the spouse I gave you?
the children I entrusted to you?
How well did you love the other believers around you? How about that co-worker who irritated you each day?
How well did you love the cashier at the grocery store? What about the person driving 50 mph in a 65 mph speed zone?
How well did you love those who were not easy to love?
I want to be clear about something—salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned by how well we love or by anything else we do. Jesus paid it all for us on the cross.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
But once I decide to accept this free gift of grace, forgiveness and eternal life, I need to start living with an eternal perspective. I need to start loving people more than my productivity. I need to be open to God’s prompting instead of clinging to my list of things I want to accomplish today.
Each day I need to ask, “How well did I love?”
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-39
Allison K. Flexer, Author 
I came across this post because of a Google Alert set to pick up on blogs mentioning Compassion. I think you’ve hit upon a lot of great thoughts here!
Michelle, I’m glad you stopped by! I love Compassion and what they do.
I love the song Blink by Revive, but the part that really sticks out to me is the “Slow down, slow on down.” I sang that part to myself over and over during Advent to remind me that the season wasn’t about hurrying through it to get to what was next, but to slow down and enjoy the season and remember it as a way to look ahead to Christ’s return.
Great post!
Thanks for the comment, Shannon! Great to hear from you. I love keeping up with you through your blog, too. I agree about the “Slow down” lyrics…beautiful song!
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