The activity in which we spend most of our time
gives us a clue as to what is most important to us. Of course, we may spend
forty hours a week at our vocation, but we do that to pay our bills.
The question arises when we spend more than our
forty hours at work. Are we trying to impress our boss? Are we looking for a
promotion? Are we willing to sacrifice time with our family and our church
family in order to get ahead?
Do we work normal hours, but spend an inordinate
amount of time on our hobbies? Do we look forward to dedicating more and more
time to our hobbies? Does everything else take a back seat?
Do we neglect ministry for God, and time with our
family, in order to advance in our work, or to improve our skills in our hobby,
or to increase our time participating in some other areas? Is work, hobbies, etc.
the true center of our universe?
Think about this. Do these carnal ideals promote our
security and give us a more stable life? Do we use God like a Genie, asking Him
to grant our wishes and to fulfill our goals? What do we do that is permanent
and eternal?
Christ is our true center and He keeps us balanced.
Satan comes to lead us astray, to move us away from the paths of righteousness,
to steal, kill and destroy our chances for a fulfilled life and for eternal
salvation.
If we walk in God's ways, instead of following the
world or our flesh or the devil, we have abundant life through Jesus Christ who
lives within us (John 10:10). We have no cause to be anxious about anything,
and we live a balanced life with wholesome priorities.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to pray about everything, so
that Your peace, which has nothing to do with the events in our life, will
guard our thoughts and emotions, as well as influence our choices. Thank You
that due to Christ's completed work on Calvary's cross, we know that You will
provide for all of our needs, and the needs of our descendants, as we focus on
Your Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 37:5).
Thank You also for the freedom we have now through
Your resurrection life within us. Help us to walk worthy of your sacrifice and
help us to live as testimonies of Your goodness and holiness (Ephesians 4:1;
Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). We are so thankful that we are now
coheirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17), and that we will inherit Your Kingdom
that will never be shaken.
Thought for the Day:
God is the only entity in this life, which is the
same yesterday, today and forever; as we trust in His goodness and love, He
will stabilize the orbit of our life and even our most negative concerns will
work out for our ultimate good.
- Hebrews 13:8; Romans 8:28
