God's Favorites

A friend called me the other night because she felt utterly sad. She asked me why do bad people seem to get away with being bad? They seemed to be happier, more successful, popular and moneyed than godly people.

Ah! The age-old question that did not seem to wane thru time. I wracked my brains for an answer. But came up with none coz this proved to be a puzzle for me too. I've seen people who did ghastly acts yet they seemed to prosper some more. Godly people, on the other hand, who would not compromise principles seemed to be less blessed materially or in social status.

So I ponder on this for awhile. Trying to come up with something- anything. Then out of nowhere an idea struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Bad people indeed seemed to have it all - wine, women and song. While godly people scraped for what is left, these 'bad people' seemed to have everything in excess (not that all rich people are bad!)

You see the operative word is seemed. They seemed to have it all. What seems to be does not necessarily mean what is real. And that's the world they lived in - unreal.

Yes, it's true they drove fast cars, go out with fast women and lead a fast life. And all of that is real. None of it is imagined. But what they failed to see is that life on earth is but temporary.
Nothing lasts.

We are all here to prepare for eternal life. And what we do here could spell the difference between eternal damnation or eternal bliss!

Yes, in plain terms - hell or heaven!

Ungodly people may seemed more successful because they are driven by worldly desires. They want the here and now regardless of the consequences. And in the process reaped all the worldly pleasures - only.

Godly people, on the other hand, know that everything we see here is not only temporary but also a test for our souls. A test that enables only the deserving to reap heaven.
What you sow, you reap.

So what's seeming success in the long run isn't success after all. Real success is in pleasing God and spending not just a lifetime but an eternity with Him.