As I was watching our sweet dog Trooper try and fail to catch a rabbit in our yard, I thought, “I’m glad he didn’t catch it!” A hunter might want their dog to catch animals, but I don’t. My delight in Trooper comes from our relationship together.

How does the Lord regard us? What standards do we have to meet before He’ll enthusiastically embrace us, not just love us because He has to according to His character?  What do Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit feel when He/They see and think about us? Does He delight in us? How do we achieve that, anyway?

Don’t even try to get the answer from people. Unlike the Lord, they’re fickle and have varying standards.

So, what makes us better? Is it based on the leadership level we rise to, the awards we receive, impact and influence? Or maybe we’d have an excuse to not be so useful if we were good looking enough for people to enjoy. Or popular. Or whatever it takes to feel like we’re worth it to anyone, including God.

Then, there’s the issue of aging. There comes a time when we lose both our outward good looks (if we ever had them to begin with) and our “usefulness” (ability to accomplish things). As I enter the ranks of senior citizens, I can identify with this. Not only is the gravity in my body “going south”, I often struggle with feeling like I haven’t done enough for the Kingdom of God, with less and less opportunity to do so. When I do, He reminds me that His love is steadfast—it won’t wear out when we wear out! I know I’m going to still love and delight in Trooper even when he’s old and gray, so why wouldn’t the Lord, perfect in love, still love us?

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end…” Lam. 3:22-23

That brings up the major question we as eternally minded believers all have– what do we have to do to receive the ultimate accolade from Him of “Well done, good and faithful servant” when we reach heaven? (cf. Mat. 25:23) Here’s what we tend to believe: We get that based on what we achieve for His Kingdom—enough converts, disciples, church plants, changed lives, people reading and listening to us, whatever it takes to prove we’re worthy of hearing “well done…”.

What if it’s none of that? What if we’re not better, more worthy, or qualified to hear “Well done…” based on any of that? What if it’s only this one thing—the last part of the accolade, “…faithful servant”.

That’s it! Faithfulness! Our availability, being ready and willing to whatever He asks and trusting that if He doesn’t ask, He doesn’t need or want it from us. Loyalty—to Him and His agenda, not our concept of fulfillment or qualification. Relationship—being His children, enjoying and resting in His love and loving Him back. Delighting ourselves in Him, and the assurance that He delights in us.

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zeph. 3:17

One thing Trooper has shown me is that we don’t have to catch rabbits or do anything else to prove ourselves worthy to God, others, or ourselves. If someone is telling us we do, ignore them. Rest in His love. Don’t go chasing off on a rabbit trail away from the truth of that.