“Nevertheless… rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (From Luke 10:17-20).
Lord Jesus, what an amazing story—the 72 disciples you sent out on mission came back with supernatural and irrepressible joy. Yet you cautioned them about anchoring their joy in anything or anyone other than you and the blessings of belonging to you. To have our name “written in heaven” enriches us in ways nothing else can and should gladden us more than all other joys combined.
Indeed, you wanted them (and us) to know that there is a joy that bests all joys, surpasses all gladness, and redefines happiness itself. It is “nevertheless-joy” –a joy that puts all other joys into perspective and scales them to their proper size. It’s a joy that anticipates both the ecstasies and agonies of life—and transcends both. Your caution helps me appreciate the prayer of Agur in the Book of Proverbs:
“Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” (Prov.30:7-9)
Jesus, whether we’re talking stock portfolios, people-approval, ministry success, hot romance, an ice-cold cooler filled with Red Snapper and Grouper we just caught, or personal awesomeness in some other shape and form—it is possible to be so “blessed” we begin taking you for granted. Gifts become greater than the Giver. Do not let that happen to us, Jesus, and reel in our hearts back to Gospel-sanity if it already has.
With our names written in heaven, our lives hidden in you, and our future in your hands, we want to rest and rejoice in you plus nothing, Lord Jesus. And if you’ve chosen to give us “so many fish our nets break”—may we be joyfully generous towards others. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.
