I AM EMBRACING REWARD

“Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.” 2 John 1: 8

It’s okay to celebrate and enjoy the pleasures of life awarded to me.

How many times have you not taken advantage of a paid holiday at work? Or shied away from a compliment? Or bought the cheaper option even though you could easily afford the more expensive one? I wonder do you ever wonder where that comes from. That inherent need to make yourself smaller, even in moments where you’re being lifted up. Sometimes we try to call it humility… because we don’t want to be seen as ungrateful or high and mighty. But even in those moments where that’s true… what exactly are we telling ourselves about what we think of not just our reward, but the hard work it took to get us there?

I’m an MCU fan and my favorite, from the very beginning was Iron Man aka Tony Stark. Tony has an arrogance about him that makes his success hard to stomach by many, but the one thing they can never deny is his genius and what he’s done to deserve the honor. He even makes the unprecedented choice to reveal himself and not take on a secret identity, announcing to the world “I am Iron Man” in a press conference at the end of the first film. I have spent some time (ok, ok, I’m a bit of a nerd lol) processing that choice and comparing it to the other heroes we meet along the way. Some heroes have no choice in the matter. They are who they are and keeping a secret identity isn’t feasible. Others fight so hard to maintain the secret and wrestle with the choices of who to trust and reveal themselves to. But not Tony. Tony surely has enough intelligence to maintain one, and enough money and power to cover his tracks. But he chooses to be all in and I’m convinced that he’s doing so because he really believes in his ability to make change not only as Tony Stark, but also as the superhero he created to save the world… and he doesn’t care who knows it.

Why am I saying all this? Because there can be a little bit of Tony/Iron Man in all of us. Tony didn’t have any issues with accepting the reward that came with being Iron Man because he took on, 100%, what it meant to be him. If you are fully taking on the responsibility of being you… why are you fighting the receipt of the reward? If you work all those hours with dedication, why can’t you enjoy a day off? If you make sacrifices every day, why can’t you enjoy the finer things coming to you? If you stand tall against persecution and doubt and ridicule… why won’t you let people celebrate you? Why do you doubt you’re ability to carry the mantle you shoulder all the time. Loves, let’s affirm you out of this place that doesn’t respect your right to reward, and let’s do it now.

Affirmation 1: I am embracing Reward. Today is the day you stop telling yourself you don’t deserve. YES YOU DO! When those feelings that you haven’t earned the favor that’s coming your way start to rise up, rebuke them and remind yourself of every obstacle, hurdle and misstep you conquered to get to this moment. Think about all the sacrifices, sleepless nights and persecution you endured to be here. And once you’ve gotten your list good and full, embrace your right to reward. Own it!

Affirmation 2: You deserve. I know this one comes up a lot (literally, I just said it above lol) but it comes around so much because it’s true! You deserve the rewards for the fruit of your labor. The bible says “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.” (2 John 1: 8) and in this verse John is really reminding them to keep up the good work and not to faulter so their reward isn’t squandered. And while I absolutely want you to keep that message close to your heart I want you to also remember that he is celebrating the good they have already done. He is celebrating them and complimenting them while also warning them that there is greater to come so they have to keep on. Don’t squander the work and don’t squander the reward either.

My friends, I love you and I celebrate all that you do. I am proud of your accomplishments and achievements and I want you to enjoy the fruit of that labor. Remember that time is the one thing we can’t get back and we can’t produce more of on the back end. What we get is what we get. Don’t waste it. Embrace your inner Iron Man and let people outwardly appreciate the superhero you are in their lives. I’m rooting for you! Keep conquering daily!