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 his 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).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 6:9-22
More:
Read Revelation 22:12 to see how God views the importance of the things you do.
Next:
How are you encouraged by what it means to be famous in God’s eyes? Who needs you to humbly, lovingly serve them today?
Gary Shultz on January 4, 2017 at 5:15 am
Yes Marlena, God does see things differently, we are very fortunate He does. He keeps giving, He keeps guiding and all the things He does because He sees with a much different view than we do. I am sure there will be a lot of Sarah Smith’s who have patiently, passionately, prayed for people, moving God’s hand of compassion. Sometimes as we get older, I think God slows us down so we can do the greater work. If any reader enjoys God’s presence, walking with Him through out the day, they will enjoy serving in little things, if they are able; however, all believers must pray. That is not a gift some saints get, that is a command for each of us. I think God allows us to finish the race with grace, if we but open our hearts to Him and others.
Thanks Marlena
gagirllive on January 4, 2017 at 9:25 am
Amen, Marlena . This is such an encouraging reminder that kingdom life is truly a life of paradox. The earth is filled with millions of unknowns to the world who will be greatly rewarded in eternity for their seemingly inconspicuous service to God and man. I think the surprise element in it is that we won’t even realize ourselves those times of service because they are a natural (or rather supernatural) outpouring of our walk and commitment to Christ—those times we are most self-forgetful and concerned with meeting others’ needs. I think of people who quietly intercede for others in prayer, people who rock babies in the nursery every Sunday morning and pray over them, that teenage boy who (gladly and without coercion 🙂 ) takes care of his elderly neighbor’s yard free of charge, and the young stay-at-home mom who gave up her career to pour into her children a strong foundation of the things of God. These, and countless more, are the “dailies” of life that we forget God takes note of. What a surprise it will be to us when all is revealed! We will be like the ones who ask when Christ judges the nations, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?” No, it won’t be the grand gestures this world has tried to train us to believe are important that will make us famous in God’s eyes. We already have His applause—by virtue of being made righteous through the blood of His Son. Hallelujah! It’s all about living for an Audience of One. Appreciate this encouragement from you, Marlena. Grace and peace to all.
godlove on January 4, 2017 at 9:33 am
“Living for an Audience of One” – nice one! Only He takes note of all that we do, both the great and the seemingly little things. He’s truly all the Audience we need! Happy and blessed new year to you, dear sister.
gagirllive on January 4, 2017 at 10:03 am
Thank you! And Happy New Year to you, beloved!
godlove on January 4, 2017 at 9:28 am
Thank you for this reminder Marlena. I think selfless service towards others is a powerful way of reflecting God’s love, when we humbly offer our free service to others, without necessarily expecting recognition, the left hand not seeing what the right hand is doing. Only our heavenly Father sees what we do, and only He rewards us for those little things which will sometimes make a world of a difference to someone in need. Seeing the smile of thankfulness on the face of a recipient of a service is usually the most rewarding part of the experience to me. Blessed 2017 to everyone!
BearPair on January 6, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Good reminder, Marlena–thanks!