We
have accumulated a lot of “stuff” during our 32 year marriage. In fact
we have a garage full of “stuff”. We are currently in the process of
converting some of the garage space into office space and during the
process we have had to clean out a lot of our “stuff”. We had to make
decisions as to what to keep, give away or throw away. Some of those
items were old and worn out. Some things my children had outgrown. Some
things we forgot we had and some were just neglected or no longer
usable. So after a few trips to the dump I started thinking about the
fact that some of those things we were tossing used to be treasures to
me, yet now they were burdens.
I think the passage of time has given my some insight on what really
matters in life, something I did not really understand when I was young.
What really matters is the relationships we have with others.
First is our relationship with God. How much time are spending in his
Word, in prayer and just talking with him? This can not be neglected!
It is the most important thing we should be doing every single day! Our
fellowship with the Lord is our most important relationship!
Second is our family. Is this really my priority or am I spending my
time doing what I want to do? Am I really present when I am with them. I
have caught myself checking my email or a text instead of really paying
attention the the person I am talking to. Am I sending them the message
that they are really not that important? Whatever you are doing can
wait. Just like the stuff in my garage that will not matter in the
future, your children will be grown and gone and you will miss out on
the precious time you have been given to nurture and train your them…and
that time goes by so very quickly.
How about your relationships with others? Be careful that you have
real relationships with real people you actually know. Facebook and
Instagram feeds are not real relationships. Most of posts are snapshots
of someones life they want you to see. The kinds of things someone puts
in a scrapbook. Sadly many young people can not actually talk to someone
face to face. They lack the skills and are missing out on so much.
Their is nothing like real life relationships that can last for years!
Believers Are Salt and Light
“You
are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall
it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13-16
We are called to be salt and light to the world. You can not do that
if you are spending your time consumed in your own world collecting
“stuff” and not really interacting with others. We should be pursuing
things that have eternal value… are we making this time count for
eternity?
