Fix your eyes on Jesus for a job well done

You've come to the end of a project, and it's turned out smashing. You put on this year's mother-daughter banquet, and everyone says it was the best ever. Or you headed your church's building project, and there the building stands now, in all its glory. Or you've turned out great kids, or you've made a name for yourself in your career. Or maybe you're still in midstream -- in your marriage, your job, your parenting -- but it's going better than you ever dreamed. Don't fix your eyes on yourself. 1. Don't exalt yourself. In Isaiah 42:8 the Lord absolutely thunders, "I will not share my glory with another." 2. But also, don't demean yourself. Don't say, "It wasn't anything; He's everything, I'm nothing." Talking that way sounds as if you want everyone to protest, "Oh, no, you're wonderful!" Fix your eyes on Jesus. He also did a great job -- infinitely greater than yours. And now the Achiever has allowed you, too, to experience the thrill of achievement. Identify with Him! On the cross He said a special word: in the Greek, "Tetelestai." We translate it "It is finished." It didn't mean "I give up; I quit" -- it was a great cry of triumph: "I did it! I really did it!" According to Bible scholar F. W. Boreham, that word was -- A cattleman's word, for instance. When his cow produced a calf seemingly healthy and without blemish, the rancher might exclaim, "Tetelestai!" Or an artist's word. When a painter finished a work and stepped back and examined it critically and could find nothing more to be done, he could announce, "Tetelestai." Jesus said that word with the last breath of His life. He said it in great pain, and yet with a sense of great accomplishment. Your achievement, too, is bittersweet; you went through a lot. There were pitfalls along the way, but He enabled you and the job turned out great. You can understand His feelings, at least a little. And He understands yours. Savor the thrill: "Tetelestai!" Squeeze the juices out of your relief and your delight. And think about Jesus: "Telelestai!" Enjoy with Him His relief and delight! And worship Him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why don't you pray to Him right now: Dear Lord Jesus, I don't fix my eyes on this achievement; it was for You. I don't want to call attention to myself in all this; I don't want either to exalt myself or to belittle myself. O Lord, I lay my crown at Your feet. Alleluia! Amen.