Our society seems to be looking for immediate gratification. Whatever is done has to be immediately recognized and appreciated. The last few generations have created a community where everyone mistakenly thinks they have to be paid back for whatever they do. There is nothing wrong with being grateful, but there is definitely something wrong if things are only done when there is instant gratification.
Today we are looking at our life as a gift to God. This is something very challenging because our life itself is a gift from God. How can we pay back to God? The only way we can do so is to be obedient. And obedience is something what we can give God as a gift from us. I always recall what Jesus Christ said to his disciples: "We are unprofitable servants." It is not a call to put us down, but it actually elevates our relationship with Christ. Doing what the Father's will is makes our life a blessed image of God's love. The less of us that is in what we do, then the more God is everything that is done by us. This is the true way to holiness. Every time we bring God's will to our community we serve God himself. Instant gratification is an instant payment for what we did. It feeds our ego, but doesn't make us any better. It is only when we can give the glory to God by our actions, that we will receive the real payment that is in store for us in Heaven.
The more we give room to God in our heart the more we can see His glory. It is when your heart is filled with His presence that you can find joy in every moment of your life. The only way to achieve this state in our soul is to be fully open to His grace and His presence in us.
So practice today a humility that will show you the beauty and glory of God. Only through the Cross can we come to resurrection. Stand up and go, this cross is waiting for you.