What Then ?
Look around you … what do you see ? Nice home, manicured yard and flowerbeds, comfortable ride(s) … and what about the things that bring you some comfort … good steady job, plenty o’ groceries in the cabinets and frig, wide selection of footwear and clothes in the closet, a variety of weapons in the safe, weekend toys, maybe a home-away-from-home … and what does all this “stuff” really mean to you ? Do you let it define who you are ? Do you gain some sense of deep satisfaction because of it ? If it was all taken away from you through some act of God or social government take-over, would you collapse into a helpless basket-case ? If you don’t have a close relationship with Christ, you probably will. When our stuff is gone and our flesh is failing, there’s nothing that’s gonna sustain us except our faith and hope in Christ … so we’d be wise to grab holt to it before it ever comes to that; right ? The apostle Paul wrote, “ By whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ…the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” ( Philippians 3:7-9 ) If all that we’ve ever worked for, suddenly is gone, what then ? If everything we consider “success” is ripped from our hands, what then ? If that pride is all we have that sustains us, and God decides to make an example of us, what then ? Ask for humility…now…before it ever comes to that ! God’ll not only provide the salvation of our souls, he’ll provide salvation from “ourselves”. Put Him first, and He will sustain you through the lean times. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will see to all your needs” ( Matthew 6:33 ). And I’m living testimony that He will also let you have a few things that brings you a little extra joy… like a fringe benefit ! He’s SO GOOD, yall !! Won’t you praise Him with me !?!