Priorities in this Life...

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15, “What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”

Life is supposed to be so much fun! This is a special gift from God! Yet, so many of us don’t’ seem to feel that way. We complain here and there that it’s just work. Like you, I’ve been there and sometimes I still feel that way. I remember a time in my life when I felt unhappy. I was just unhappy with everything. What confused me is that I was a Christian and I was feeling this way? Deep down inside I knew that something was wrong. God wants me to live life to the fullest and I felt like I wasn’t. It was just too much work and I wasn’t motivated to do anything. This is when I dug deep down into my heart and examined it. I gave my heart of stone to God, so that I can get a new heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36: 26-27). Please understand that this was not an overnight change – it took years, and my heart is still at work in the hands of God.

One of the things that I’ve come to understand is how I choose to live my life to glorify God. The question that I was faced with myself is this: Is your heart in the right place in following God? At some point I thought it meant total sacrifice in everything – meaning I had to give up what I loved to do and the desires I had in life. In some cases this may be true, but what it truly meant is that are my priorities in order? We are called onto this earth to know God and make Him known to others. We are called to a loving relationship with God, go into discipleship, and make disciples! And this happens everywhere! Don’t miss out on the opportunity that you have in your current situation to serve Him!

There are things I truly enjoy in this life and desires that I have in my heart. I know that God wants me to take pleasure in these things as long as I have Jesus as my focus. I have discovered that real pleasure is found in enjoying the things I do as gifts from God. A good example of this is this: I love to run. I used to run for the sole purpose of keeping in good shape, being the best, and using it for my glory; and many times, running felt like it was just work because I was obsessed with when, how, where, how many times to run. Now, I truly love to run because running is my time with God in prayer. It is pure enjoyment and a time for me to feel free. It brings me a deep sense of pleasure and intimacy with God. It is no longer my obsession; rather it’s a God-obsession.

So whatever you are doing – whether it’s a job or things you enjoy – do it all for the glory of God. My job is work, but I truly enjoy it because I know God has placed me there to share the Good News to people that I am around with. There were several instances that I had an opportunity to share God’s love to my students in the classroom, through e-mail, and in person. Just knowing that I am there for a reason, and that’s to do everything I can to glorify Him. It’s no longer work; rather it’s an investment. Just remember this: It’s okay to have fun with what you enjoy in life as long as we abide in Him and our priorities are in order! I seek every opportunity to share the love of Christ and my prayer is that you will too.

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do; do it all for the glory of God.”

Lord God, I pray for everyone that reads this and examines their hearts about their relationship with you. You have given us the blessing to enjoy what life has to offer as long as we continue to abide in your ways. Maybe some of us right now feel like life is just so much work; help us to find the true pleasure. Maybe some of us truly enjoy life; help us to remember to keep you our focus and continue to follow you. I thank you, Lord, for everything! Thank you for the life you have given us on earth and the everlasting life you have in store for us! Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace! Amen.