All That Matters

All That Matters

Phoebe

Read: Romans 16:1-2

The Bible doesn’t give us any details about Phoebe, but the three sentences in these verses sum up her life as well-lived. Apparently she served her church in an official position. Paul gave Phoebe great responsibility and honor when he entrusted her with the task of carrying his letter to the believers at Rome. She must have been a woman of wealth and prominence, since she made this long journey at a time when few women traveled. What truly mattered about Phoebe’s life was that she loved God and served his people. She had a reputation for always being ready to help believers who were in need.

Not many people know the details of Mother Teresa’s background and early life, but we all know that her life was centered on serving God by helping other people. Mother Teresa expressed her love for God by ministering to the destitute, rejected, suffering, and dying people in society. When we hear Mother Teresa’s name, we probably don’t think of her family background, her education, or any honors she received. The one thing we remember is the passion for ministering to needy people, which was fueled by her love for God.

It’s easy to get bogged down by the details of our lives. We think that we could enjoy a fuller life if we had a different family background, some great talent, a different career, or one of a thousand other “ifs.” The world may judge the worth of a life by wealth, prestige, education, or earthly accomplishments, but those things have no eternal value. At the end of our days on earth, all that will matter will be our relationship with God and how we expressed that faith by loving others. That’s the definition of a life well-lived.

What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Galatians 5:6