My heart is broken today. My focus has become skewed. My mindset has been distracted.

Life is short. Life is not guaranteed. Life is not meant to be one big race to the top.

Our society today is full of people who just want more. They want to be healthier and happier. They want more money, more position, and more of a voice. More, more, more. It never stops. It is a never-ending struggle up the preverbal ladder.

We – as humans – can only handle so much. I get that. Our focus most times – at least for me – is getting past the next thing… the next class, the next lesson, the next meal, the next ministry opportunity, the next event. I tend to take life one thing at a time. That’s not always bad.

But, today. Today I have been reminded that life is not meant to be spent on the earthly. On the here and now. On the money. On the things that don’t last.

It doesn’t matter if I eat a kale salad for lunch. It matters how I treat people.

It doesn’t matter if I am a homeowner or drive the nicest, newest, fanciest car. It matters how much I give to missions, to church, and to others.

It doesn’t matter if I “wow” the crowd. It matters if my relationship is right with Jesus.

It doesn’t matter if I look different or weird to others. It matters that I honor God’s Word.

It doesn’t matter if everything is “put-together” on the outside. It matters that my heart is settled and the peace of God rules inside of me.

It doesn’t matter how I feel. It matters that I am worshiping God with my lifestyle, my words, my attitudes, and my actions.

It doesn’t matter if I have to back up, say “I’m sorry,” and ask for forgiveness. It matters that I strive to live a life set apart from the world.

It doesn’t matter if I go down in history as the world’s greatest something or other. It matters that I do my best and try my hardest at whatever I’m doing, big or small.

And, frankly, people – there’s lots of things that don’t matter…

But – at the end of the day – Here’s what does matter…

If my sins are forgiven and my life is transformed by the grace of God.

And, secondly, if I am spreading the news of God’s miraculous power and love and forgiveness to the world around me – to those I come into contact with.

It’s time to get past all these distractions. Eternal > Earthly. That’s what matters… every single time.

I challenge you to ask yourself about anything and everything… “Does this matter?” If it doesn’t – toss it aside. If it does – fight for it with your life.

Eternity is coming. Where will you spend it? And who will you take with you?

 

Photo by Thanti Nguyen on Unsplash