Theme: There is a better way!
Pastor Jimmy spoke this past Sunday of us focusing on what is important or essential rather than what is urgent. He implied that fewer things would become urgent if we focus on what is important today. Two illustrations come to mind as I pondered this message.
One involves filling a one-gallon jug. First, fill a one-gallon jug with larger rocks and ask yourself if it is full. Next, pour some sand into it. Is it full now? Finally, add water. How does this little experiment explain what Pastor Jimmy said about priorities and doing what is essential today? The lesson shows us that if we do not add the big things to our lives first, we will have no room for them later, for distractions will crowd them out.
The second illustration begins with us standing in front of our chest of drawers. While there, consider how compartmentalized our lives are and how we often divide our lives into definable and separate drawers. We could label these "real life" and "spiritual life".
The "real life" drawer contains everyday life, our job, physical health, leisure, money, possessions, and daily routines.
The "spiritual life" drawer contains all our "God" stuff. It includes Sunday worship, small groups, mission trips, prayer, Bible studies, and everything related to God.
You will notice I did not include family or friends in any drawer. I did this to show what Pastor Jimmy said to us. Many of the items in either drawer almost automatically separate themselves. However, family and close friends must be placed in our life drawers consciously, intentionally, and daily.
Ask yourself today which drawer you open most frequently and what you choose to fill your jug of life with first every morning.
However, is there an even better way? One that eliminates the choices and gives us the freedom to live as we should. Jesus Christ offers us a one-drawer philosophy of life. Everything goes in one drawer. There is no more "real life" and "spiritual life." There is just life in Jesus, with one priority, focus, and purpose. One choice, one drawer, labeled "my life in God." Ahhhhhhh….so simple.
Scripture: Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that in you my life no longer has to be fragmented and out of focus. Remind me that even though I am a new creation in you and by you, I still must “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” daily and choose not to re-create separate drawers in my life after you have given me just one. Lord, make me to fully understand that in You all decisions are made and all purpose is derived. In Jesus name we pray and give thanks. Amen
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