Matthew 10: 39 says, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he loses his life will find it.” It is important that we allow the Holy Spirit to decode the meaning of this verse. God does not want us to lose our life in the context of physical death. Rather, this verse is admonishing us to forget about the things of this world that keep us from laboring for our Master and Owner. We ought to work hard in His harvest field, living life according to God’s statutes, so that we may inherit the kingdom of heaven; thereby, living with Him eternally. However, we live in a very selfish world. Many people are seeking after their own good and are looking for those things that will eventually perish. A songwriter (Panam Percy Paul) sang these words: “Let us not be mindful of things that we see, the beauties and the cares of this world. Let us all be faithful, for soon we will see that the victory has been on our side”. The wordings of this song encourages us to remove our focus on those things we think we ought to have. Let us stop chasing after the huge mansions, the luxurious cars or worldly status or identity. When we lose our life, it means we have totally devoted our life to God’s service, never minding to acquire earthly wealth or status. Instead, our main goal is of the things of the kingdom of God. Our treasures are built in Heaven and not on earth. We sacrifice our life in doing what God desires of us. This means that we forget about ourselves and for the sake of the Gospel. 

 

There may be times where you deprive yourself of food for three days just to see another person get their breakthrough. You may even have to deprive yourself of sleep for many nights in order to keep night vigils for someone in need of a miracle. In doing these kinds of things, you lose your life; you are not minding your own needs because you have the revelation that the Author and the Finisher of your faith is able to take care of the things that are important to you. He will come through for you because He knows that you are busy doing His work. My brethren, He will reward you. And, there is no greater reward than the kind that comes from God. It is not that God does not want His children to have beautiful homes or drive beautiful cars or be educated. God just wants our attention because this is a world of desperation. We have to put away the ME, ME, ME philosophy and surely He will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory. Selfishness actually robs us from getting those things that make our life comfortable on earth. Our Father in Heaven can give us these things without our effort or input. 

 

Selfishness and greed clouds our judgment and forces us not to see what really matters. So please, “Let us labor for our Master from the dawn til setting sun.”  I’m so sure that you will never be disappointed. “The harvest field is plenty but the laborers are few—Matthew 9:37.” In the Glorious Light Christian Ministry and in Ministries all over the world, let us be known for working in God’s vineyard so that the lives of many will be blessed and their souls will not perish unto eternal damnation. God bless you abundantly in this year 2007 and always.  

 

 

Adeteju Adelagunja