Go for high status

Status has always intrigued me, mainly because I’ve straddled two worlds—one with relatives devoid of status, and another where my parents moved among the high-status elite. I attended a prestigious school where, even there, status had its tiers; some kids received thoroughbreds for their birthdays, others got a birthday card.

Status is such a subtle pursuit. We often don’t even realize we’re chasing it. It lurks behind envy, materialism, and covetousness.

You see someone with a nice car and think, I want that. But why? Your car works just as well. Yet, driving a Porsche signifies something more than just transportation—it’s a symbol to those around you and to yourself - that you are… “fill in the blank”. In other words, you have status.

I noticed this phenomenon when I ran Maverick City Music camps. People gravitated towards writing with known names like Chandler or Naomi. In contrast, they behaved differently in groups without any notable figures. We all crave love and esteem, and status seems to offer that validation—it makes us feel seen, known, loved.

(See how I just name-dropped… that’s status hunting…)

We look at the Mother Theresas of the world, working among the poor and those with no status. You could argue that she had incredibly high status, both on earth and in heaven.

I'm not sure we can get away from the pursuit of status—that desire for approval and respect in the eyes of others.

The pivotal question is: status in the eyes of whom?

We're bound for trouble if we seek it from those around us or even from ourselves. We’ll chase materialism, ambition, and privilege.

Yet, Jesus invites us to redefine WHO we seek status from.

Jesus’ stories often challenge our perceptions of status—the Good Samaritan, for instance. The commandments to love God and neighbor are high-status actions in heaven’s eyes. Even performing miracles like raising the dead doesn’t guarantee heavenly status if there’s no intimacy with Jesus.

A true high status for Jesus is intimacy with Him. It’s not about what others think but about what heaven values. Paul speaks of demons recognizing him because of his closeness to the Lord, status rooted in being known by God.

So, what does heaven consider high status? Intimacy and friendship with God rank highest.

This relationship naturally produces obedience, power, wealth, health, fruitfulness, and righteousness—not as goals but as by-products of knowing Him deeply. Notice those are the very things we consider to give us high status.

Fruit gives status to a branch. But fruit comes from being attached to the vine, not from squeezing out fruit. It’s a headscratcher.

High status in heaven is about being known by God and knowing Him in return, your name being written in the Lamb’s book of life.

We will seek status - let’s just be intentional about whose eyes we want to achieve it.

And if you choose His eyes… You will find that you already have the highest status - you are already loved.

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