Receive the Things Done

2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

 

A flame appears, in a spark and flourish, burns for its hour and then is seen no more.  From where did it come and where did it go?  While it was burning, did it light some darkened corner, warm some shivering being, or singe whatever it touched?  Was it’s spreading the kind that destroys everything in its path, or was it gentle and multiplying, like the sharing of seeds with each year’s flower?  (For one sun’s setting brings other suns to sight, and these little stars increase, in number and in brilliance, even as the first Sun turns itself to night.)  Or did the flame never spread, but kept itself isolated and self-contained even though other shadows needed to be brightened and other creatures needed its heat? 

 

The Spark of Life is the Keeper of the Flame and the smoke rises ever to Him.  How sweet is the cloud, how wondrous the rising, depends on how well the fire gave of its flame.  For what is sweet and plentiful will be rekindled, while what is acrid or meager will know only its waste, its shame.

Christina Chase