The last part of that verse hit me hard as I read through it tonight. Jesus truly overcame the world. He overcame the temptation of materialism when He and Satan duked it out in the desert. He overcame sin and lived a perfect life. He died for our sins and rose again, conquering death and offering us hope of eternity with Him in Heaven.
I think about that - what Jesus did for me - and then I think about me. I know that Jesus isn't looking for empty righteousness from me. I know that He wants a relationship; He wants my heart. I am ashamed to think of how much of my heart I give to things other than Jesus. Even good things can become idols when they mean more to me than Jesus. My relationships can become idols. My possessions can become idols. The talents God has blessed me with can become idols too.
While I think that the verse that talks about "storing up your treasures in Heaven" is overused and sometimes cliche, it's got so much truth to it. Jesus didn't mean that we should stop trying to get joy from earthly things! Indeed, I believe that Jesus wants us to enjoy life as much as possible. However, we've got to keep in mind that everything in this life is temporal. High schools, colleges and careers are all temporal. Again, that doesn't mean that you should stop trying to do well in your endeavors. What it does mean is that you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Jesus tells us to be anxious for nothing. He takes care of the birds, so He'll definitely take care of us (Luke 12:22-34.)
So, whether you lost your favorite shirt or failed your latest test, be at peace. The things of this world will all perish some day. This is not our home. Heaven is our final destination.
Live madly. Love deeply. Pursue Christ above all else.
Did you fail a test, James?
ReplyDeletenope! but dawson did :)
ReplyDeleteFor a brief moment, I misread "he takes care of the birds" and thought "birds" was your abbreviation for "burdens". I said to myself, "Now there's an abbrev. I've not yet heard..."
ReplyDeleteLove/miss you.