Reward of Love

Sees in Secret - Katie Gerdt

I don’t know why I was surprised when I was handed a drawing of a kneeling stick figure receiving money bags from God. My kids had been asked to visualize Jesus’ words about prayer: “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6). Clearly “reward” meant something pretty specific in the mind of an elementary school boy!

But honestly, my own concept of reward is just as narrow. I can’t tell you how many times I have felt disappointment when a conversation or a Bible study lesson or an act of service “didn’t get the response” I was hoping for. Looking for these external rewards actually becomes punishing--our energies bound up in formulating words or forcing situations, our happiness and rest contingent on certain reactions or results. Our hearts harden into stone, the strength of which is measured by its ability to act upon other surfaces. 

A tree, on the other hand, is strong when it interacts with its environment: taking in sunlight and nutrients, producing oxygen and fruit. Being planted in the Trinity’s loving gaze and flowing grace enriches our hearts “so that in every way, always having everything we need, we may excel in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9). Such an abundant life is its own reward, springing up from our inner experiences with God, sanctifying our work, blessing our relationships with each other, and enduring long after words of affirmation or signs of success fade away.

In confident expectation of this goodness, we continually return to the secret places with God. Through weekly patterns of confession and repentance we acknowledge how quickly poisonous seeds of pride, jealousy, bitterness and fear can take root. Our times of quiet contemplation and reflection in the presence of God’s Word and Spirit are an active defense against whatever threatens the Life we treasure. Like Abraham, we courageously resist letting anything else be our prize in order that we may know the blessing and richness of friendship with the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.