Living Out What Really Matters

So much on TV and the internet is not worth watching. Even the news reports on stories that have little or no value or no need of knowing. So much of what we look at can be a waste of time. It doesn’t do anything for us when it comes to making a positive difference in our lives, or for Christians, helping us grow in the faith.

What matters most is spending time cultivating our spiritual walk with the Lord. (Am I sounding too spiritual here?) First John 2:15 says, “ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him.” 

How much do we love the things of the world in comparison to our love for God? We should never stagnate or plateau in our spiritual journey. In order for that to happen, it is necessary to concentrate on the activities the benefit our spiritual walk. I am not saying that it is necessary to spend eight hours a day in prayer, Bible reading, meditation, or other spiritual disciplines. We have jobs and many other obligations, and there is nothing wrong with good wholesome family entertainment, or watching sports, for example.  The question is, how much time are we spending to advance our walk with the Lord? This also helps in our relationships because our vertical relationship to God affects our horizontal relationship with others.

We must create our own culture of indulgence and worship by limiting our time on TV, the cell phone, and social media, and even then, watching only things that really matter or are educational. Develop a daily practice of Bible reading and prayer with your spouse or family. Become involved in small groups at your church. Read Christian books. Have Christian music on in your home. Ask God to give you a focus for your life that will enhance your spiritual walk and character, that may even lead to a ministry to others.

How much do we really love the Lord? Can we, myself included, honestly say that we speak the words of Psalm 63:1-8? “Oh God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding  your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live. In your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with when I remember you, and meditate on you in the watches of the night, for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; Your right hand upholds me.”

What really matters is to “not be conformed to the things of the world”(Romans 12:2). Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Furthermore, a word of admonition is given in I Corinthians 3:12 in reference to building upon the grace of God. “Now, if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-Each one’s work will become manifest, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”

Put the emphasis on the spiritual. A good way to tell the difference is to ask the question, “Why am I doing this?” The “why” is always more important than the “what.” If you don’t have a good “why” then it may be a worthless activity.

If you are not a Christian, what really matters is that you have a source of hope and peace in the world. Realize that there is a God who loves you and with whom you can have a spiritual relationship, not just a religion. Come to accept Jesus as your Savior.