Apr 6 - "Back Seat"

Philippians 3:1-14
"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
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There are parts of the Bible where we see examples of people dropping everything, relinquishing all that they own, in order to follow God's call. Even Jesus tells us, on multiple occasions, to leave the worldly things behind, take up a cross and follow Him. These are pretty high standards to meet.

When I think about a situation where I would do this, it has more consequences than I am willing to accept. What about my family? As the "provider" for our livelihood, what would happen them, to our daughters, if I made the decision to give up all material possessions and follow Christ?

Sometimes, the answers we receive to prayers for guidance on what direction we should take can be uncomfortable ones. In today's reading from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, maybe there is a different, more "comfortable" message. He speaks of the things he possessed as a man, the things he achieved, that they did not matter any more. They were important things in the world which brought him along a certain path, allowing him to come to the place he was at the point where he accepted Christ as his savior. But now, he had "given up" those things and counted them as rubbish. By focusing on the things which were of God, the other things had been relinquished and mattered no more. Maybe it's just a matter of prioritization.

So, think about how you prioritize the things of this world and the things which are of God. Recognize that, although the money we earn in our jobs, the homes in which we live with our families, the cars we use to drive our kids to activities which hopefully enrich and strengthen them are vital, but they should always take a back seat to the things which are truly important. These things...being in relationships with each other founded in love and support...being in relationship with God and recognizing His majesty...knowing that Christ died for you that you are freed from sin and will have eternal life...these are the thing to keep and treasure.