Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
I’ve written previously about how much I enjoy the Pass It On billboards along the side of the road. Prominent people’s pictures are captioned with a particular virtue they represent. Thoughts about those billboards started me imagining what it might be like if there were billboards in heaven. They would highlight characteristics of people whose everyday lives inspire others more than they realize.
I thought of a woman I know who has had to deal with tremendous disappointments in her life. She battled and survived colon cancer. But the doctor made a mistake during surgery, leaving her with a permanent colostomy bag. Her husband also made some big mistakes but before the problems were resolved, he died in a fatal crash, leaving her a widow. And that’s just the start. I imagine her dear face on a billboard captioned in big red letters: Overcomer.
Another woman I know has been the victim of false accusations, emotional abuse, and financial insecurity. Yet rather than turning away from God, her trials have increased her love for him. Her billboard says: Deep Devotion.
And there’s a couple I know who have a great sense of humor. They make people laugh. They’re zany, fun, and unpredictable. I see both of their smiling faces on a billboard labeled: Laughter.
Before my dad found Jesus at 65 years old, he led a pretty rebellious life. But once he found Jesus, his life did a one-eighty. He used his remaining years to serve God by regularly praying for the sick, visiting the lonely, and leading the lost to salvation. I picture his billboard with the bold declaration: Redeemed.
Jesus encourages us to be faithful, faithful even when tempted to think our simple actions don’t amount to much. We don’t know the impact we make just by being true to who God calls us to be. But we do know it pleases the Lord. And it bears great reward.
So, if I could, I’d like to pass on an encouragement to you. Picture one more billboard in heaven. Your face is cameoed. And underneath it, you see a message embossed in gold. It says: Well Done Good and Faithful Servant.