What are you looking for in life? There are a lot of different things people chase after in a variety of forms, such as recognition, fame, love, pleasure, riches, amusement, etc. We seek notoriety in our jobs, and relationships with others. We seek to one-up our competition and win that prize. We try to look and play the part that everyone expects of us. We chase after a lot of things to the point of exhaustion. We distract ourselves with entertainment of all sorts to make our minds numb and put off dealing with reality. There is a lot of real-world click-bait that tries to take us away from doing what we should really be doing in any given moment. Does this mean that we should get rid of everything and just live a quiet, simple life? Maybe for a few, but for most of us, it is recognizing that we can get wrapped up into things that take us away from what matters most, and from what we ought to be doing. I’m sure you have had at least a few wake-up calls to make you aware of this. What do you do about it?
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8
There are many of us who just want to do the right thing in whatever roles we are playing in life, as father, husband, son, friend, employee, etc. We just want to get it right, more often than not, and more or less to be a good guy. There are times when we mess up and get it wrong, but we try to keep these instances to a minimum, or try not to repeat them. We can struggle between being kind to others, and putting our desires first. But when it comes down to it, we can compare ourselves to others and ‘feel’ good about that, but we know deep down that we still mess up. We are in a constant state of a need for forgiveness, from God and from others. In our minds, somehow, we think we should be getting better, and we may be in many areas, but we are still not, nor will ever be perfect. Does that frustrate you?
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17
So, instead of trying to always get it right, or to give up all together and seek after other selfish things, we should focus on our long-term relationship with God and to be close to Him. This will have an influence in all other areas of our life. How we relate to Him will guide our relationship with all others. It will re-prioritize how we spend our time, our money, or resources, and our lives. Our sense of love and worth we receive from Him will guide and direct how we give this to others as well. Its really a simple premise. What are you doing that fosters this relationship and what are you doing that hinders it? May you continue to grow in trust with your Creator each day.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Yours in Christ,
Clark
