Chasing What Counts

Welcome! God is waiting to speak his truth into our hearts today. Let's listen carefully from 1 Timothy 6:11-16. This is what I hear him saying . . .

Chris (you put your name), you are not of the world. You belong specially to me. Remember that you live on a higher level. Don't chase what the world is chasing. It's a wild goose chase! I look down and see most people chasing their tails, never catching what they so eagerly pursue. And that's because they don't know how to get what they most want.

Here's what I want you to pursue instead. Start with a life anchored in your personal relationship with me. My grace alone can provide everything you need! Be fully present with me.

From there, chase the goal of becoming the man inside that I created you to be. As you stay close to me, you will become more like me. Chase nobility, integrity, compassion--they are worth catching!

And trust me more. Our whole relationship is based on you realizing that I'm fully trustworthy. I'm faithful. So have faith. Let the difficulties of life deepen your trust instead of weakening it.

And don't forget to love. Love is the essence of life. You can have everything money can buy and still be empty without love. And I'm not talking about what American culture has reduced "love" to. They scarcely have a glimpse of the real thing anymore. Pursue real love. True love. Fully-committed and self-giving love. The more you give, the more you will receive. It's so much better than anything else you could possess!

And don't give up. The world weighs on you. I can see it in your posture and in your eyes. You are burdened down. Let go of some things. Let go of everything and entrust it to me. I'm not saying quit. Quite the opposite. Don't ever quit living. Don't ever stop loving. Don't ever stop trusting me. Don't get down on yourself and buy into the lie that you can't. There is one who would like you to believe that. But it is not me. Learn to be mentally tough. Stand up and be strong. I have given you my power when yours fails. Persevere, Chris! Your journey is far from completed. I'm counting on you!

One last thing...don't let the frustrations roughen you. Keep your gentle spirit. Treat the ones you love most with the greatest sensitivity and kindness, not the least. Pursue that gentleness because if you don't, the bruises and disappointments of life will make you prickly. No one likes to cuddle up to a cactus! And they need to feel your gentleness for their sake, too. With but a word you can raise their spirits or dash them.

I am with you in all of this, Chris. Don't worry about chasing the stuff on the TV commercials. It's pricey and otherwise pretty cheap. You want a rich life, don't you? Pursue the things I've told you about with all you've got. Put your sweat there. It won't make me love you any more than I already do, but attaining these qualities will be the glory and joy of your life!

But you, man of God, flee from all this [greed], and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. . . . Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called . . .  (v. 11-12)

[Your comments are welcome below! And I am praying a special blessing on anyone who shares this post on their Facebook page!]