Apples of Gold

What’s up with the snow angel challenge? Please don’t nominate me. There is no way that I am going to go out in the snow in my shorts and t-shirt and make a snow angel. It is just not going to happen! Challenges like this seem to pop up on a relatively frequent basis and for some reason they spread faster than a vicious rumor.  My logical mind wonders what the fascination with these is. But the numerous videos popping up on my social media feeds tells me I am likely in the minority. 

In our culture we tend to choose quantity over quality. Compare the pile of food you can amass at a fast food restaurant for $40 with the meal or two you can purchase at a nice restaurant for the same price. One place will give you a lot of “food” and the other a much smaller portion but there is no question which is better, both in quality and taste. 

We like to feel like we are getting a good deal. How often do we fall for the buy one get one free hook and get something we don’t really even want just because a free item comes with it? 

We often fall into the same trap by equating rushing around with accomplishing something important. Sometimes I find myself rushing around before a church service trying to accomplish things that could-and probably should have been taken care of earlier but somehow were overlooked. While successfully crossing things off our to-do list, our quality control is not up to potential. 

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

We all have to watch this one. Our personal schedules must be considered first-the daily obligations and voluntary involvement in activities are frequently out of balance in our lives. If we are overextending ourselves, and our families, in the cares of this world we have already severely limited our availability to be used in the things that actually have eternal value. Watch this area. Revisit your priorities and look at them honestly.  

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3

While this feels like our real life, it is crucial that we remember that this is but a fleeting vapor and eternity is where our focus should be.

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

When it comes to prioritizing our relationship with God, even if we are great at balancing our daily stuff, there is another danger. The needs in the spiritual realm are constant and demanding as well. There is always something we can be busy doing for the Lord. We can easily find ourselves being swept away with the swirl of activity around us. We might be doing the right things for the right reasons but at a level that is robbing us of the opportunity to be close to God. 

Matthew 7 reminds us that the works in themselves do not cut it. 

Not everyone who calls out to me, Lord! Lord! Will enter the. Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me,  you who break god’s laws. Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:21-24

When we are pressing in closer to the Lord ministering to others is a natural result. We can, however, find ourselves still doing for him while neglecting being with him. Which is really more important to us? Those around us will applaud the work, the sacrifice, even the over-extended schedule is a badge of honor and perceived spirituality. But is that what we are really after? 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10-11

My heart cries out for that closeness with my Savior. To know him and to be known by him. 

Jesus replied, The most important commandment is this: Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. Mark 12:29-31

Loving God wholeheartedly is the first commandment for a good reason. The foundation of our relationship is going to have a profound impact on everything we do and say. When we know God and pursue his heart we are much more effective in fulfilling the second commandment. Our flesh is constantly rearing its head, demanding recognition, fairness and respect from others. The power of God allows us to put others first and trust God to take of us.