The Game Changer

When will the war on materialism lighten? When will Matthew 6:21 take root that our hearts follow our money?  When will the comforts found in safety, security, success, more stuff and prosperity not be the reward we desire? When we I not spend wasted time browsing instgram looking at cool "stuff"?  When will someone else's vacation not seem so perfect and when will I focus on the perfect designation, heaven?

"Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; Still be my vision O' Ruler of all "

Through some wise counsel via books and scripture I believe the only way these things won't be seen as the goal is when I see death as the reward. I truly can't let go of the security and comfort found in what I see until I realize this world is not my home and this life is not mine. If I ever hope to free myself from the worldly desires, ideals, idols, values, ambitions, etc then I must focus on another world. 

I can't take risks from stepping away from what I can only see if I don't believe that a reward awaits that I cannot see. 

The great reward of the gospel is God. We have heard it many time "to live is Christ and to die is gain" or " he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" I mean everything we do comes down to one thing: does it reflect His Glory. 

"Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living the world "

After John discusses what the real Christian life looks like in 1 john he concludes with "keep yourself from idols". John knows that idols break the fellowship with God and he is trying to warn us for our own good. I used to think I don't worship idols or think anyone besides God is a god. But an idol is not just a Sun god or a statue. An idol is anything we put above God... Anything we can't live without because of the happiness it brings us. If it is elevated to a position that determines your behavior then it's an idol.  On the surface these things could be harmless... Like our children, our job, our house, our dreams, a ministry.... But if we ask ourselves if we think any of these things are must haves to bring us happiness besides God than its an idol. Things such as acceptance, companionship, prosperity may not be inherently bad but when they are elevated to a place they don't belong they become evil. 

We must rid the idols of what is seen. It is the things unseen that are important (2 Corinthians 4:18). I am realizing that praying to have a heart free of idols and a mind focused on kingdom wealth is the only way to live free. All other ways are trapping, restrictive, and finite. I think it is the constant struggle of wanting control that keeps us from being bold, courteous or making decision inline with Gods will. Jesus, the good Shepard, tells us as sheep to go to the wolves. If Gods will was safe, secure and dreamlike than why would he say following Him would be dangerous? Only when we can turn from the world's seen idols and comforts and realize this world is not our home can we escape the trapping, self controlling fear. I am not there. It is hard to hold death lightly as a fallen human in a fallen world. But assurance in eternity with God should be the driving force as we are only guarantee this moment. I'm processing out loud that I want my life to glorify God and not just end up with a nice 401k account that isnt coming with me when I die. When grasping that to live is to die than we have understood the real game changer.

 

C. S. Lewis that captures this truth: “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer.”

 

Okay those are my thoughts. So 5 min after typing this I handed my phone to Wes and said "read where my head is". He read and then asked "so are you wanting to grasp this or have you grasp it?"  Good question spouse. I want to and I am praying to. I don't want to just believe that Phil 1:21 is true, I want to actually trust it.