Tag: Christian Living

Making Priorities a Priority

In Jeremiah 2:32, God laments through the prophet, “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.” This verse captures a powerful metaphor, comparing the people’s forgetfulness of God to something unthinkable — a bride forgetting her wedding ornaments. It underscores the idea that we naturally remember what is important to us, and it calls into question the priorities of the people of Israel.

In our own lives, this principle remains true. We do not forget the things that hold significant value to us. We remember birthdays, anniversaries, important appointments, and treasured possessions. These things occupy our thoughts and are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Similarly, our relationship with God should be at the forefront of our minds, guiding our actions and decisions.

However, just like the people of Israel, we too can become forgetful. Distractions, busyness, and the pressures of life can cause us to neglect our relationship with God. We might find ourselves going through the motions of faith without truly engaging with the heart of it. This forgetfulness doesn’t happen overnight but creeps in gradually, leading us to prioritize other things over our time with God.

Reflecting on Jeremiah 2:32 challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we giving God the attention and honor He deserves, or have we allowed other things to take precedence? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our actions reveal what we truly value. If we treasure our relationship with God, it will be evident in how we live our lives.

To combat forgetfulness, we need to be intentional about cultivating our relationship with God. This can include setting aside regular time for prayer and Bible study, engaging in worship, and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage us in our faith. By making these practices a priority, we keep our focus on God and remain grounded in His presence.

Reflection Questions:

What are some ways you can remind yourself daily of God’s presence in your life?
Are there areas where you have allowed distractions to take priority over your relationship with God?
How can you cultivate a deeper, more intentional relationship with God in your daily routine?

Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing

In Isaiah 58, the prophet addresses a people who are outwardly religious but whose hearts are far from God. They fast and engage in rituals, yet their actions are marred by injustice and a lack of compassion. The text reveals a profound disconnect between their religious observances and their daily behavior. Despite their fervent practices, their true spiritual state is revealed by their exploitation of others and their failure to address the needs of the oppressed.

Isaiah 58:1-5 portrays a scene where the people question why God seems indifferent to their fasting and religious acts. They are perplexed that their piety is not met with divine favor. The answer comes through a scathing critique of their hypocrisy: “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” (Isaiah 58:5, NIV). God is not interested in mere ritualistic displays of devotion; He desires a genuine transformation of the heart that manifests in justice, mercy, and love.

This critique resonates deeply with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13, where he asserts that without love, all our spiritual gifts and efforts are meaningless: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). Paul’s vivid imagery underscores the futility of spiritual achievements devoid of love. Just as Isaiah condemns the empty rituals of the Israelites, Paul warns against the emptiness of religious acts performed without love.

Both passages challenge us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Are our religious practices a mere facade, or do they reflect a heart transformed by God’s love? In Isaiah, God calls for a fast that loosens the chains of injustice and feeds the hungry. Similarly, Paul calls for a love that surpasses all spiritual gifts, emphasizing that genuine love is the essence of true spirituality.

The phrase “sound and fury signifying nothing” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth echoes the futility of actions that lack genuine substance. If our worship and service are not rooted in love and justice, they are nothing more than hollow noises. True spirituality is not about the grandeur of our actions but the depth of our love and compassion.

As we reflect on Isaiah 58 and 1 Corinthians 13, let us ask ourselves: Are our practices and expressions of faith genuine, or are they empty noise? May our lives be marked not by hollow rituals but by a profound love that transforms our relationships and the world around us.

An Inexhaustible God

In Isaiah 40:28-31, we are reminded of the vast difference between human strength and God’s inexhaustible power. The prophet Isaiah writes:

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV):

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Our human effort, no matter how determined or energetic, is ultimately limited and exhaustible. We grow tired, we get weary, and sometimes we simply cannot continue on our own strength. This is true in many areas of life:

In our careers, we often push ourselves to the brink, believing that success depends entirely on our effort. We stay late at the office, take on more responsibilities than we can handle, and neglect rest. This relentless pursuit can lead to burnout, where our physical and mental reserves are utterly depleted.

In relationships, we might try to be everything for everyone—supportive friend, perfect spouse, attentive parent. We give and give until there’s nothing left, and then wonder why we feel empty and exhausted.

Even in our spiritual lives, we might strive to earn God’s favor through our own efforts. We attend every church event, volunteer for every committee, and try to live up to a standard of perfection that leaves us feeling inadequate and spiritually drained.

In contrast, God’s power and resources are inexhaustible. He never grows tired or weary, and His understanding is beyond our comprehension. When we rely on our own strength, we inevitably fall short. But when we place our hope in the Lord, He renews our strength.

Think about a time when you were at your wit’s end, feeling like you had nothing left to give. Maybe it was during a particularly stressful period at work, a crisis in your family, or a moment of deep personal struggle. Now imagine facing that situation with the assurance that you have access to God’s infinite power and wisdom. How different might that experience have been?

Those who hope in the Lord will find their strength renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. This is not a promise of an easy life without challenges, but a guarantee that God’s strength will sustain us through whatever we face.

By looking to God rather than relying solely on ourselves or others, we tap into a source of strength that is limitless. We short-change ourselves when we fail to do this, settling for our own finite resources instead of embracing the infinite power available to us through faith.

Reflection Questions:

In what areas of your life are you relying too heavily on your own strength?
How can you shift your focus from your own efforts to trusting in God’s inexhaustible power?
Can you think of a specific situation where you need to hope in the Lord to renew your strength?

The Imperishable Purpose of Our Perishable Possessions

In the narratives of 2 Kings, Isaiah, and 2 Chronicles, we read about a moment in King Hezekiah’s life that serves as a profound lesson for all of us. After recovering from a life-threatening illness through God’s miraculous intervention, Hezekiah proudly shows the envoys from Babylon all the treasures of his kingdom. This act of pride leads to a stark prophecy from Isaiah: everything Hezekiah showed to the Babylonians would one day be taken away, and his descendants would be carried off as captives.

Isaiah 39:6 (NIV):

“The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.”

Hezekiah’s story reminds us that all our possessions, achievements, and even our lives are temporary and ultimately belong to God. We may take pride in our accomplishments and the material wealth we accumulate, but we must remember that these are merely on loan to us. We are stewards, not owners.

1 Timothy 6:7 (NIV):

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Since everything we have is temporary, we should focus on using our perishable possessions for imperishable purposes. This means investing our time, resources, and talents in ways that have eternal significance. Rather than hoarding wealth or seeking personal glory, we should strive to further God’s kingdom, help those in need, and live lives that reflect His love and grace.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV):

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Hezekiah’s mistake was focusing on earthly wealth and pride rather than acknowledging God’s sovereignty and purpose for his life and kingdom. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our true home is in heaven and that our time on earth is an opportunity to prepare for that eternal life with God. Too often, we strive to be remembered by people who will one day be forgotten, rather than seeking to make an impact that lasts for eternity.

Colossians 3:2 (NIV):

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Are there possessions or achievements in your life that you are overly proud of, forgetting that they are gifts from God? How can you use your resources and talents to serve God and others in ways that have eternal significance? What changes can you make in your daily life to align more closely with an eternal perspective?

We Become What We Worship

I was floored reading Psalm 135 this morning. Particularly verses 15-18. For the sake of completeness of understanding, here are those verses (in the New Living Translation):

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

Look at how the idol is described. It has a mouth that cannot speak. Ears that cannot hear. Eyes that cannot see. And its worshippers are ‘just like them’. Wow. It’s so simple and yet so deeply profound! How have I never seen it before!? We become what we worship. Not that we turn into an idol, or money, or status, but we begin to adopt the traits of those things! Think about it…

Money & wealth promise happiness and contentment, but cannot actually deliver on those things. And we see that the people who idolize money can appear successful and even draw envy, but they lack contentment and purpose. Money never leads to satisfaction. If you aren’t satisfied with a small amount of money, you could never be happy with a tremendous amount of money.

Celebrity & fame promise a glamorous and enviable life, but it has just as many downsides as upside. Followers of celebrities may adopt a glamorous exterior but struggle with their own identity and sense of worth, becoming superficial and disconnected from authentic relationships and deeper values. Jim Carrey famously said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Power & influence command attention and authority but can be quickly corrupted and become tyrannical. Those who seek power often become authoritarian and manipulative, losing their moral compass and becoming isolated, much like the corrupt nature of the power they idolize.

Technology & gadgets promise connectivity and convenience but often leads to distraction and detachment. People obsessed with technology may become highly connected online but disconnected in real life, leading to shallow interactions and a lack of meaningful relationships, mirroring the superficial connectivity of their devices.

Physical appearance focuses on outward beauty and strength but neglects spiritual health and well-being. Individuals who idolize physical appearance may achieve outward attractiveness but suffer from internal insecurities and even health issues, mirroring the superficial focus on looks rather than overall wellness.Success & achievements promise recognition and fulfillment but can lead to burnout and emptiness. Those who chase success may achieve high status and accolades but often feel exhausted and unfulfilled, as their worth becomes tied to achievements rather than their status as children of God.

Pleasure and Entertainment offer immediate gratification but lack lasting satisfaction and depth. Individuals who seek constant pleasure may enjoy temporary highs but feel a deep sense of emptiness and lack of purpose, mirroring the fleeting and shallow nature of their pursuits. There is a reason this is called “escapism”.

New Age Spirituality & Self-Help promise enlightenment and self-improvement but lacks a foundation of truth. Followers may feel enlightened and empowered but often remain spiritually ungrounded and confused, reflecting the elusive and inconsistent nature of these practices. Talk about being blown about by the wind!

Political Ideologies and Leaders present solutions and direction but can lead to division and extremism. Those who idolize political ideologies may become polarized and intolerant, losing sight of unity and compassion, mirroring the divisive and rigid nature of their political beliefs and neglecting the Biblical call to love even our enemies!

Nature and the Environment worship is seen as pure and life-giving but is often indifferent and harsh. People who idolize nature may become overly critical of humanity and disconnected from progress, reflecting the sometimes indifferent and unforgiving aspects of the natural world.

Contrast this with how Christians who follow the God revealed in the Bible come to embody His traits in their daily lives. Just as God is characterized by unconditional love, Christians learn to love others selflessly, showing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, as emphasized in 1 John 4:8 and John 3:16. This love is not conditional or based on merit but flows from a heart transformed by God’s own love.

Holiness is another key attribute of God that Christians strive to emulate. As God is holy and set apart from sin (1 Peter 1:15-16), believers seek to live lives that are morally and spiritually pure, avoiding behaviours and thoughts that dishonour God and lead to worse outcomes for themselves! This pursuit of holiness is a reflection of their desire to be like the God they worship, dedicating themselves to His service and glory.

Faithfulness and trustworthiness are also central to God’s nature (Deuteronomy 7:9), and Christians aim to be reliable and steadfast in their commitments, both to God and to others. This faithfulness is demonstrated through consistent trust in God’s promises and a steadfast adherence to His Word, even in challenging circumstances.

Mercy and grace, seen in God’s dealings with humanity (Ephesians 2:4-5), are mirrored in the lives of Christians as they forgive those who wrong them and extend kindness, even to those who may not deserve it. This reflection of God’s mercy helps Christians build communities marked by forgiveness and reconciliation.

In embodying these attributes—love, holiness, faithfulness, mercy, and grace—Christians reflect the character of God, standing in contrast to those who idolize and become like the empty, unfulfilling pursuits described in Psalm 135. Their transformation is a testimony to the profound impact of worshiping a living and active God, rather than lifeless idols.