Father, as I learn more about You,
I begin to trust You more; I can believe
what You have waiting for me in Heaven
is better than any earthly possession!
Focus of the month: “You have heard it said…”
For most of my life I have been in the habit of “collecting”. Whether it be stuffed animals (the infamous beanie babies or Web-kins), kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, or even recipes…I have collected it! There’s something about the feeling of knowing I have an abundance that gives me a bit of a rush. Anyone else? It isn’t that I can’t live without these things, I just really like living with these things. So, what’s the danger in this? Well, I am learning that this over-abundance, or the pre-occupation with over-abundance keeps me distracted from the true purpose for which I was created. You see, I believe with my whole heart that I was created by God on purpose and for His glory.
So if I believe this, yet I allow other things to get in the way of walking in that purpose, what good will those things bring me? They are merely possessions that don’t really matter. They will break or be thrown away eventually. These things should not be consuming me.
Let’s look at what Jesus says about the items we deem valuable:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB)
If God is at the center of my life then the “things” of this life cannot be. Intentionally removing what I think is valuable, makes room for the truest of treasures…building a relationship with God that leads to eternal life with Him! I will invest my time and talents in relationships and share Jesus with others. I will make time in my daily routine for reading scripture and praying. I will store up what really matters and lives on after my life has ended. Spreading a spirit of goodness, of truth, of gentleness and self-control reveal that I live in the light of Christ. All of these things make a difference today and into tomorrow.
When we look into our store houses — our treasure chests, what will we find? A bunch of “stuff”, our collections, our dust covered temporary wants; or will we find a life lived on purpose, honoring God, loving others and making an eternal difference? This is a treasure that no man can steal or destroy!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Isaiah 43:7; Rev 4:11; Matthew 6:19-24; Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:6; Matthew 22:36-40
