Day 41: Jesus, You Are My Audience

I dance for the Lord and no one else. Yesterday I heard the story of a woman who played for a Philharmonic orchestra – can’t remember the instrument she played. Anyhow, she received a standing ovation. The next morning the critics in the paper were brutal about her performance. A reporter asked her how it made her feel to receive such harsh criticism after receiving a standing ovation the night before. She replied, “I listen to neither the crowds nor the critics, only the conductor. He alone knows whether I gave a good performance. I loved that story for it is the same with us. We must live in the audience of our Lord, and look for His smile. In Streams in the Desert today, Mrs. Charles Cowman said that the apostle Paul “did not count as we are apt to count; he did not care for ease; he did not care for his mortal life. He cared for only one thing, and that was to be loyal to Christ, to have His smile.” Those are good words for today. “I count all things as loss in view of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 Williams Translation).

My Response: Lord Jesus, today I pray that You will give me the sense of Your Presence and remind me that I live for You and You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.