Life is Your Reward

“Baruch, this is what the LORD says: ‘…Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!’” (Jeremiah 45:4, New Living Translation).

Baruch served as a scribe to the prophet Jeremiah, leading up to the time of the Babylonian captivity. He had a great education, a respected family, and many good connections. He had everything going for him to be the next bestselling author.

Unfortunately, Baruch’s first book had been burned by the king—before he even got to go on tour with it! Rumors flew, saying Baruch was a conspirator with the pagan Babylonians. To top it off, Baruch knew that his city would be destroyed. He would never enjoy a stable career, a good income, or prestige among his peers. One day he threw up his hands and said, “I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already?” (Jeremiah 45:3)

God promptly rebuked Baruch, telling him to stop seeking fame and fortune. Life isn’t about seeking great things for ourselves. We aren’t guaranteed success, nobility, or riches.

We are promised something else. People who set their hearts on things of this earth will grow weary and disenfranchised with such meager results. But God has given us a gift to enjoy long before we finish college, buy a home, or make our first million. In fact we can enjoy this gift even if none of those things transpire.

The Lord told Baruch, “I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 45:5). That is so simple, it blows my mind. Life is the reward. It’s not the car. It’s not the house. It’s not the kids all graduated and married. It’s life. Wearing the name of Jesus, and living a life in the power of His Spirit is its own reward!

While we pursue comfort and a measure of success, let’s not forget that we should already have the reward—life! Everything other plaque should hang below this simple accomplishment. Let us love life and see good days by not complaining, but thanking God for every moment He has given us. We should not spend our days seek fulfillment—just having another day is fulfillment itself. Once we learn this secret, we will know contentment.