June 23, 2018

What Really Matters?

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

– Mark 8:36

It’s the little things that get us. We don’t plan to commit murder. We don’t plan to rob a bank. We don’t plan to ever deny Jesus.

But, well, we don’t have a problem with hate when someone has done us wrong. And we understand anger and revenge when someone “deserves” our wrath.

We work hard for what we have and we keep it for ourselves. We “need” so many things – a new car, a long vacation, several nights eating out. We might not be able to tithe – money’s tight you know – but we can take care of ourselves.

We would never deny Jesus, not officially anyway. But we don’t have time to help the poor and the elderly. We can’t offer ourselves up as sacrifices. There’s barely enough hours in the day to get done the things we must get done – job, kid’s activities, socializing, household chores.

We try to show up for church on Sunday. Sometimes we’re just too tired or we need a mini-vacation to the beach or mountains. God understands, we tell ourselves. We try to volunteer. Okay. Maybe only when it something that directly benefits us or our children. Let someone else care for those who are alone or have long-term needs.

We pray most days. It might just be a quick moment before bed or a muttering before we head off to work. There’s just no time for serious Bible study or true alone time with God. He understands the demands of our lives. God loves us anyway. He knows we’ll get around to it one day.

What if one day never comes? What if today is your last day on earth? What if your child gets cancer and everything you thought was important suddenly isn’t? What if life knocks you to the ground and you find yourself in quicksand?

The Bible tells us to build our lives on the rock of faith. We are to nourish our roots so that they grow strong and deep in the fertile soil of faith. We aren’t to wait until desperation hits. We’re to do it now, before we hit the wall.

How many of us do that? How many of us attend church occasionally and call ourselves good? How many of us do the minimum and think we’re covered for whatever might come? And how many of us truly know that we are one moment away from a life-changing event?

We somehow think we are insulated from the truly bad. We work hard. We’re believers. We are. Well, maybe we don’t always live like it. We like to have fun and, well, we’re just so busy.

Just remember this: Possessions won’t hold you up when the world tears you apart. Good intentions won’t carry you when you’re in need and the world has better things to do. And faith that isn’t nourished when life is good won’t sustain you when everything you thought you knew is gone.

You may end up with the whole world but what about your soul? When the day is done and you are heading home, will you finally realize that Jesus really was all that mattered after all?

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Let Go Of All That Stuff

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” -- Luke 12:15

What are you taking with you? When you die and head toward those Pearly Gates, what are you planning to have in your luggage? What is it that you simply can’t do without? What do you have that you can’t leave behind?

Oh, yeah. That’s right. There’s no baggage claim in heaven. Oh, and no carry-on bags are allowed either. So where does that leave all that stuff you value so highly? Not with you and, honestly, when you get to heaven do you think you will even care?

We spend so much of our lives worrying about our stuff. We never have enough of it. We don’t like to share. Sometime we value our stuff more than the people in our lives. And for what? Because we sure aren’t taking it with us when we go.

Now don’t get me wrong. I like my stuff. And I don’t like it when people abuse it or when others don’t value the family history associated with items passed down through the generations. But I also know that anything I have is a gift from God that will one day go to someone else. That’s how it’s supposed to be.

So since we can’t take it with us, maybe we need to reorder our priorities a little bit. Pastor Danny recently suggested three ways that we an do this. First, we can learn to live below our means. That way we’ll be free to appreciate what we have and to give more away to those who don’t have enough.

Ouch. I just stepped on a few toes, didn’t I? We don’t want to give away what we’ve worked hard to achieve. Other people should work hard, too, and buy their own stuff. Except that’s not what God tells us to do, is it? We’re to share from our abundance and, honestly, most of us have way too much abundance.

Secondly, we should work on developing a grateful heart. It’s difficult to focus on what you don’t have when you’re thanking God for all that you do have. Are you lusting after the latest smart phone? Well, thank God that you even have a smart phone. Many people don’t. Thank God for your health because many struggle with debilitating illness. Thank God for your family because many people are alone. And on and on. Pretty soon you’ll realize that you really have way more than you thought you had.

And lastly figure out where your soul finds satisfaction because your soul is the one thing you will be taking with you on your journey to heaven. What is your life’s call? Create your life, spend your moments, following God’s purpose for your life and not your own pursuit of stuff.

Fill your heart with compassion. Litter your path with kindness. Open your eyes to the hands in need. Fill your soul with Jesus.