Your Reason for Living
A man had the good fortune and insight to take a chance
with a credit card company in the Baltimore area several
decades ago. He retired as a wealthy, high-ranking
executive. In the course of his career, he put together a
streak so impressive (35 years in which he never missed a
day of work) that Cal Ripken wrote him a letter commending
him for it. When he retired, the company gave him a classic
car as well as many other lavish gifts. He had many benefits
and perks, the admiration of peers and competitors, resort
town houses, and considerable wealth. Yet, one day very soon
after he retired, a doctor visit changed his life
dramatically. He was found to have an aggressive form of
cancer. Two or three months later, he was dead....
This is not a commentary on the morality or priorities of
this man. Frankly, I know nothing about either. His story
points out that his well-laid plans and successful career
building could not forestall or avoid the inevitable end
result common to every man.
It also should provoke a question. For what are we living?
Is our identity tied up in our career? Do we want to be
known as the life of the party? Is it all about travel and
adventure? Does life revolve around going to the river, the
campground, the fishing hole, the beach, or the mountains?
Is it sports, shopping, spending, or spirituality? Of
necessity, all of us have a central focus. It is the thing
that forms the bull's eye at which we repeatedly find
ourselves aiming.
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus should have the preeminence
in our lives (see Colossians 1:18). Jesus is to be FIRST
PLACE in our list of priorities. When it comes to our jobs,
Jesus must take FIRST PLACE. When it comes to our
recreation, same thing. When it comes to relationships, He
deserves primary position. Whatever we say or do, Jesus must
be at the forefront.
Only God knows the heart, but is it ever the case that we
often choose money, sports, pleasure, recreation, hobbies,
career, children, parents, spouse, or some other thing over
Christ? The teaching of Jesus indicates that we often
struggle in these areas. He warns that we may invest in the
wrong kind of treasure rather than the true riches (Matthew
6:19-21). He implies that money can trump the Messiah as
master of man (Matthew 6:24). He admonishes disciples to
seek the kingdom first over "things" (Matthew 6:33). He
warns against choosing family members over Himself (Matthew
10:37).
When life draws to a close, one will be confronted by the
reality of what he or she made first place. Certainly, when
one crosses the sea from time to eternity, there will be no
denying, rationalizing, debating, or arguing about what one
has chosen as his/her "bull's eye." But, in our heart of
hearts, don't we really know what's most important to us...
right now? It's what occupies the greatest amount of our
interest, time, energy, emotion, and effort. It is what we
live for.
When we die, will what we live for help us live eternally or
will it cause us to experience eternal death (cf. Revelation
21:8)? Let's heed Paul's urging to "set your affection on
things above and not on things on the earth" (Colossians
3:2) by trusting God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of our sin
(Acts 17:30-31), confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10),
submitting to baptism (immersion) in the name of Jesus for
the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and living for Him for
the rest of our lives (Revelation 2:10).
For what or for whom are YOU living?
Neal Pollard / David A. Sargent
www.creekwoodcc.org
creekwood@comcast.net