PRAYER PROMPT ••• I have always loved the movies.
My favorites are the classics from the 30s and 40s.
The Golden Era.
I don’t watch as many movies that come out today, but I think the production process is fascinating.
We’re in “Awards Season” for the Hollywood elite (there are 13 award banquets scheduled in January and February alone).
Last night was the Golden Globes.
I didn’t watch it.
I used always to watch Hollywood award shows, but not for the last 10-some years.
They don’t interest me anymore, and I’m bored with the entertainment industry trying to insert political agendas into every acceptance speech (what happened to a simple “thank you”?).
But I’m still intrigued by the movies; just not so much by the people who make them.
However with all that said, just like an awards show, one day, we will all stand before Jesus to be judged and awarded.
2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”
This is known as the Judgment Seat of Christ.
This is the judgment for believers; there’s a different one for unbelievers.
While our sins have been forgiven, our deeds will be evaluated.
The Apostle Paul wrote about the judgment of our deeds in 1 Corinthians 3:11-14, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.”
When I think about this event, I often think of it as a movie.
I have no idea how Jesus will set this up, but I’m not sure I like the screenplay.
At least the first act.
When I rededicated my life to Him, my story took a plot twist, and that’s the direction I want the rest of my movie to take.
We are all the writers of our own stories.
Sure, sometimes someone comes along and adds in a scene we didn’t want or expect, but we still write our own lines and reactions.
The question is when the awards come around, is there enough meaningful content to warrant an award?
Point of clarification, we aren’t getting into heaven on our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But they will be judged.
Can they withstand the fire?
Today, as you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help you write each day with the ultimate award in mind: eternal life with Jesus.
Ask Him to help you navigate plot twists in a way that keep you focused on His plan for your life.
