Some of the biggest rewards in life are intangible. They reside within our hearts, slip through the cracks of our lips, and then find solace in the souls that surround us. But rather, we are sold lies that the only value our lives hold– our only purpose– is through the gold that lines our pockets. We are gluttonous for acknowledgement, envious of beauty. Greed haunts the halls of our homes. It steals our sleep, our families… our time.
What good is an achievement if you turned around to see gone were the ones whom you loved? You stand at the end of your chosen road in silence, nothing but the whistle of wind pushing through your hair. But there, in your hands, is your trophy– your gold.
Was it worth it?
I say the heart is the most precious trophy. It is often forgotten, often fatigued. It garners no thanks, no gold, no title. It hides away, working endlessly. The heart can be broken for a time. It can become lost and buried beneath a mountain of rocks. And yet, it is the heart of another that reveals a strength strong enough to pull them from the rubble.
You see, a good heart can carry a broken heart. That’s why it is so precious. A good heart can heal. It can motivate and encourage. A good heart can lead so that when the end of the road appears, and the trophy sits at your feet, you turn to find that the gold was in the journey– the trophy a memorabilia.
“Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his father’s glory with the holy angels.”” -Mark 8:34-38 NIV
There is only one way to achieve a good heart and it cannot be done alone. For it is not actually our heart that spills from our mouths but our souls– a window into the grace of Jesus Christ. It is there where He dwells. With his help, our souls can spread like wild-fire. They can ignite change into the inner webbing of our lives. A good heart procured by the love of Jesus can garner the strength it needs to search and rescue buried souls.
Be kind.
Give grace to those who have wronged you. For it was only by the grace of God we have been saved. There is none better than the other. Our strengths and gifts could easily coincide. You never know when it will be you who needs a helping hand.
Be the light.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
When you reach the end of your road, and your candle flickers out, will you find yourself alone with your trophies –encased in darkness– or will the light of the lives you’ve touched along the way, surround you in a warm embrace?