“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.
Matthew 6:19-21
G.K. Chesterton once said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Part of the reason most people do not really live out the Christian life is that many of the real rewards are delayed. We want things fast and now. Change needs to happen immediately. We demand our way right now and in a hurry. Maybe this is the fault of commercials. Commercials can make life look so easy if we just take this pill or drink this beverage or get insurance through this agency. It may be that those items are beneficial. But what is in our eternal best interests? Will spending that money today benefit my family, my community or even my own self in the long term?
Imagine you are welcomed into Heaven. What will Jesus say to you? There is just one phrase that I long to hear, “Well done good and faithful Servant.” Will He look at me and communicate in some way that I did the bare minimum, or will He have something to brag about? For many salvation and a ticket to Heaven is the end goal. In my mind that is only the beginning of a life well lived. What will be my legacy? Who will come to Christ because of my life?
How many have sacrificed long term health for a cigarette or some drug today? How often have I sacrificed health and family for a career that gives rewards today but will dismiss me tomorrow. We choose to be entertained and sacrifice sleep and education and even spiritual growth to watch television.
Those that know me know that I love to plan. I have plans from now from now until I breathe my last breath. Life though is lived in the moment to moment. Plans are fun adventures of the mind. But today we can choose to serve God with eternity in mind. This will be difficult. The temporary pleasures of this world will be a constant temptation. Jesus promised us that in this world we would have trouble. But He also told us not to fear, not because He has overcome the world.
My friends, today my challenge to you is this. Examine your life. Think about who you are at your best physically, mentally, Spiritually, and socially. Really take your mind back to a day where you were rocking these areas of your life. Note that may not have happened all on the same day. Think about everything you can on those days. What did you do that day. What did you eat and drink? How did you sleep? How did you pray or fast of connect with others? Also, what did you not eat or drink? What are all of the things that you did not do that day that could have wrecked your masterpiece day?
Then apply that wisdom that you just gained. Do more of the “do” items on your list and less of your “don’t” items. Then the real fun part. How many of those sorts of days can you pull off in a row? How long can you extend the streak of masterpiece days?
Finally, review your progress. Are more of your day-to-day choices lining you up to be more in line with eternity?
