If
our focus in life is consumed with the natural aspects, our spirit will suffer,
and our body and soul will endure deprivation as well. We often fill our life
with busyness that is useless and detrimental to our relationship with God.
If
we primarily focus on the fleshly, carnal aspects of our life – even positive
things such as our job, church, family and hobbies - they become idols. If we only
focus on religious aspects of life, we grow self-righteous and judgmental.
Our
soul requires times of leisure and recreation in order to maximize its
effectiveness. If our soul does not prosper, our body and spirit will suffer
also (3 John 1:2). Yet, we often waste our time, energy and finances by
pursuing unrighteous worldly pleasures.
It
is the type of activity, and the amount of time and money we put into it, that
determines whether or not we are actually catering to our flesh. Any
aspect of life that we think we cannot do without becomes an idol.
Many
people have a tendency to look at life with an all or nothing attitude. We
think that to enjoy the features of living on this earth is to
be earthly-minded; and to pray, read the Bible, and do Christian work is
to live a holy, spiritually-minded life.
Although
there is some truth in this, the reality is that God created all good things
for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). He put us on this diverse and beautiful
planet so that creation would point us to Him (Romans 1:20). As we enjoy
creation, we see His glory and majesty surrounding us.
God
also gives us talents in music, mechanics, woodworking, giving, art,
engineering, plumbing, caring, teaching, technology, preaching, serving, etc.
We actually balance out these earthly pursuits with a spiritual mind, as we do
them all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Prayer:
Father
God, You gave each of us gifts to use for Your glory (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy
6:17). You did not give them to us so that we could use them in an effort to
please You by self-righteousness. Rather, we do all things through the strength
and energy that You supply for us. You give us gifts and talents, so that You
can use them through us.
In
this way, we cannot take any credit, but we will give You all of the glory and
power forever and ever (Romans 2:8-9; 1 Peter 4:10-11). You even give us
comfort in our trials and troubles, so that You can comfort others through us
(2 Corinthians 1:4). Remind us that if we trust in our own abilities and
wealth, we will fail; but as we step aside and allow You to bless others
through us, we will prosper as well (Proverbs 11:28; Philippians 2:12-13).
Thought
for the Day:
We
are only consumed by our human nature if we refuse to allow God
to reveal Christ in us according to His good pleasure; we eventually learn
how to do everything, even mundane things like what we eat and drink, for God's
glory.
–
Ephesians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:31
