Priorities

Aug 14th.     What Really Matters

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.”

Psalm 128:3-4 ESV

Today my nephew came by to say goodbye, as he’s leaving tomorrow to go back to college.  After he left I started to cry and gave each of my kids a big hug.  You can ask my wife since having cancer I have become a more emotional person.  I was always a little stoic before (ok maybe more than a little).  So, what has changed?I have.  But in particular my priorities have changed.  I see each day now as perhaps my last day (although none of us know).  But as many days as the Lord gives us we should live for Him.  Most of us don’t like thinking about it but the fact is the day will come for each of us unless Christ returns first.  

So, then exactly what has changed? Well, my thinking about lots of things.  Let me give you a few examples.  I’ll be honest before my job was a pretty big thing to me. But now I think jobs are necessary to support my family but a job is never going to be my life again.  Same change of thought about lots of other things.  Cars, yea need one to get around but does it have to be new and fancy? Nope just reliable. I could go on and on. The point is God has changed what I think is important.  So, here is a short list of what I now value.  My Savior is important and being about His work matters.  My wife is a top priority and being with my kids.  Teaching my children God’s ways as we live life together.  My family in God is important.  Loving and serving all the above matters.

“he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Ephesians 2:19 ESV

Stop for a moment and tell me what from this earth do you get to take to heaven?  My job? No. My car? No. My toys? No.  None of this stuff gets to go with us.  Only the things that we do for Christ will last.  Oh, I personally think one more thing goes to heaven with us, our relationships.  So, spend your time building relationships and serving the King.  

Am I more emotional today then I was a year ago? Yes I am.  And I thank God for it.  He has opened my eyes and shown me first hand how fragile life is. Our days here are numbered and so short. Why then do we waste them?  When I’m gone what do I want people to remember about me?  What do I want my children and wife to remember?  Here’s what I want them to remember and  say, “I loved God.”  Although I am an imperfect and frail man, I want them to recall that I had a heart that longed to serve my Lord.  That is the legacy I want to leave. It is also what I want my family to become.  

If your priorities are anything else, may I challenge you to reexamine your life.  In the end what really matters? Is that where your priorities are?  If not today is the day to make changes.  Let us all live each day that the Lord has given us for His glory, never looking back pressing always forward.