Is That Really Important?
I can become so pedantic about how clean my house is and yet what difference to the world is it going to make if my mantle piece is not dusted?
Reference: v.1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: Dr Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages has really opened the eyes of millions of people when dealing with relationships. Dr Chapman explains that everyone has a love language in which they show and receive love.
Many couples discovered that they were communicating to their loved one in a way that their loved one did not perceive. It’s almost like two people speaking a different language.
For example, if your love language was words of affirmation and I just showered you with gifts, then you might still question my commitment to you. However, if I sat down and wrote you a card of appreciation, then you would feel warm and fuzzy for quite some time.
It would almost be a waste of time, money and energy to buy you all those gifts when they are not communicating the intention I had for them anyway.
Application: There are times in our lives when we spend so much time focussed on a particular area of our lives, and yet the eternal impact is really quite small. I can become so pedantic about how clean my house is and yet what difference to the world is it going to make if my mantle piece is not dusted?
There are many things in the world that demand our time. It is our choice as to what we focus upon.
Psalm 127:1 is a good reminder to me to focus on that which the Lord establishes and can add to. It’s no point in building things into our lives if God is not at the centre of it all. It is the godly elements of our lives that will have eternal purpose and add most to our lives.
Prayer: Lord God, may we be discerning about how to spend our time and resources. May we focus on that which is important to Your Kingdom. Amen.
What tends to take up your time and focus?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.