A Devotional from
LIVING IT UP
Meditations for Seasoned Saints

By Leona Choy

Receiving a Bonus?

People who work often receive something extra at the end of the year from the business they work for. We call that a bonus.When the economy is in a slump, people don’t receive much, if anything.

The word "bonus" is from Latin meaning "good." Its common definition is "an extra, something unexpected, a reward, honorarium, gift, beyond the norm." The dictionary says it is something given or paid over and above what is due; over and above the regular arrangement, sometimes in appreciation of work done, length of service, accumulated favors, or the like. It’s usually unasked for and comes from someone in authority above us. Sometimes it comes at the end of a stated period. If we know we’re going to get a bonus, we start dreaming about how we’ll enjoy spending it.

If you don't work outside the home or are retired, you don't expect a bonus. But I'm sure you received one. How do I know?

Let's look at our bonus in the context of the days of our lives. How old are you? Did your spouse or any parent, grandparent, brother, sister, or relative die younger than you are now? Then you are living a bonus, a good measure, an extra benefit! All life on this planet is terminal, of course. All of us, being human, have a limited life span of which the outer limits are quite prescribed. Although statistics tell us that every week some 210 men and women reach the age of 100, that is still rare for human life span in our generation.

People formerly died a lot younger. Better nutrition, medical advances, surgical procedures, health habits all combine to keep us on this planet longer than our forefathers. On the other hand, increased pollution, chemical additives, destructive health habits and addictions are now pulling us downward. Heredity is a factor, so are accidents, of course.

Ultimately, for the Christian, the sovereignty of God determines our life span. He sets the clock for each of us. He orders our lives and the length of our days according to His perfect plan. There may be some sense in which we are presumptive when we insist on trying to lengthen it artificially by medical or mechanical means. Nevertheless, God calls the final shots. Nothing, no, nothing happens beyond His sovereign control and tender care.

For the committed Christian, it is better to be with Christ, the sooner the better. Why has God left us here this long, to this moment? What are we doing with our bonus years? How are we redeeming, investing, making productive for God and others the extended days of our lives? Does He heal us from health problems simply so we can continue to coast along for our own pleasure and hang around a little longer? The question is, what for?

Isaiah 38:19 sets the stage: "It is the living who give thanks to Thee, as I do today." To give thanks to God is the first thing we should do. It is a first base hit. Ten men were healed by Jesus, but only one returned to thank Him. It is a deliberate act of our wills. Lord, thank you today for the wonderful bonus of another day of life in which we may live for you!

Have we asked the Lord what He wants us to do with our bonus, how to spend it profitably for Him?