On Things that Matter.

A few days ago, a friend of mine posted this quote on facebook:

"You know, you can never get enough of what you don't really need". 

 -Matthew Kelly

Deep, right?  It has been haunting me since I read it.  In a good way.  In a convicting way.  In a way that makes me think about all the unnecessary distractions in my life.  The short moments when I lose sight of what's important and the longer stretches of time when I have deliberately lived in disobedience.   Both keeping me from a deeper relationship with God.

When I read this quote it was one of those times when I knew God was trying to get my attention.  You know, like when the teacher says "for this project you will need a partner" and, before you even look up, you can feel your friend giving you THAT look from across the room.  God was giving me THAT look.

It was just a few days earlier that I was reading this:  (not.a.coincidence.)

Psalm 4

Answer when I call, my saving God. 

In my troubles, you cleared a way;

show me favor; hear my prayer. 

 

How long will you people mock my honor,

love what is worthless, chase after lies?

 

Know that the LORD works wonders for the

faithful;

the LORD hears when I call out.

Tremble and do not sin;

upon your beds ponder in silence.

Offer fitting sacrifice

and  trust in the LORD.

 

Many say "May we see better times!

LORD, show us the light of your face!"

 

But you have given my heart more joy

than they have when grain and wine abound.

In peace I shall both lie down and sleep,

 for you alone, LORD, make me secure.

 

(emphasis mine)

 

 

 

At this stage in my life, it is my temptation to love "a good day" more than I love God.  I find myself wanting "me-time" more than I want God's will to be done through me.  There have been too many days that I have skipped prayer to get the laundry started and snapped harshly so that I would get the behavior I wanted.  A moment's good behavior and clean clothes will never bring fulfillment, though.  How foolish. 

This week I was desperate for some peace in my house.  The bickering brothers were wearing on me.  But even quiet in the house does not really mean peace in the house.  Jesus in our hearts means peace in our homes.

I don't want to live my life striving after things that I don't need, that don't matter. 
If I am walking in Truth, I don't need a "good day".  I need Jesus. 

You alone, LORD, make me secure.

So, how long will we love what is worthless?  I don't know what it is that you're trying to "get enough" of today.  I don't know what worthless things you have been loving.

Is it Clothes?  Food?  Sleep?  Men?  Money?  Success? The feeling of being liked/wanted/needed? 

"You can never get enough of what you don't really need".

Let us pray.