A reason to rejoice

There are so many things in this life worth rejoicing over. Holding a newborn baby. The smell and taste of your grandmother’s cookies. Holding your loved ones’ hands every day for over fifty years. So much in life that is worth celebrating. Jesus says, however, there is something greater than anything in this life worth rejoicing over.

Jesus sent his disciples out on a mission. They went from town to town in pairs, doing ministry as he modeled and instructed them. When they returned, they were ecstatic. “Lord, even the demons are subject to your name!” they shouted. Jesus tells them, however, not to rejoice in what happens on earth but that their “names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

I’m not convinced that Jesus is dismissing their success. After all, he had a very clear purpose and succeeded in achieving what he set out to do. I think part of what Jesus is emphasizing with the disciples is the need to avoid focusing on the tangible and, in doing so, miss the eternal.

The temptation we all face is to find our value and satisfaction in what we can see. Rejoicing when you see your name on the building. Celebrating finding your book on the shelf of your favorite bookstore. There is no question that success produces a great feeling of joy, but if you base your worth and happiness on your achievements, you will always be under the burden of victory.

The burden of victory is chasing the next goal. The burden of victory measures your value by your last attainment. The burden of victory equates your worth and happiness with whatever you last succeeded at.

Jesus is calling you to evaluate your perspective. Matters in this life certainly matter, but they do not matter alone. Your value does not come from what you do, the platform you build, or who recognizes your name. The pursuit of those things may be what is stealing the joy you are chasing. Rejoice that your life matters more than what you attain. You can have all the success the world offers. Everything you’ve ever dreamed of. But if you lose your soul, you’ve lost it all.

Jesus is reminding the disciples that they have been given authority to accomplish extraordinary measures in ministry. But he cautions them, and all those who read his words, not to rejoice in what you measure. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven.

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com.