REFLECTIONS

Question for Yourself

So, what shall you do today? The morning is fresh. The day is new and so are you. The pursuits of yesterday might be continued with renewed vigor. Or maybe you should try something different; after all, life is an adventure, and we all want to get the most from it. But is “what shall I do today” the only question for yourself? Might you also ask, “why should I do what I choose to do today?”

Jesus told a parable of a rich man who produced a good crop only to realize his storage facilities would not hold its abundance. Only then did he realize he had enough to sustain him for many years. So, he decided to build more barns then take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

I think God’s message reaches deeper than it first sounds. They usually do. I think God wanted to remind the rich man that tomorrow is not promised; and earthly treasures aren’t portable into the life beyond. And the rich man needed a reminder to place service to God ahead of serving himself. Everything else is just as Solomon describes, Meaningless! Meaningless! Instead, Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:8, 13).         

All of us need these reminders. We each see the world through different lenses. Each lens is formed by our experiences in the world. They are shaped by what we witness, what we are taught, and what we believe. Together with emotions that form along the way, we identify the objectives of life we choose to pursue. Although we may not be consciously aware of it, we often simply follow a path someone put us on, to be like someone we admire without wondering who God made us to be or why He put us here.

Our wants are comprised of things we do not have, aspirations for achievement, and the resources to attain them. Too often we fail to think deeply enough to truly understand that many of our pursuits chase after those Solomon described to be meaningless

The chase is on for the things we believe will bring happiness. The world persuades us that they are contained in position, power, or possessions. The question left unasked is the one that seeks the real purpose for wanting those things. Once asked, a progression of answers will discover the ultimate desire for eternal joy. Eternal joy comes from living a meaningful life—

one of love for God and love for our fellow man.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

Click here for Printer Friendly Version