Unshakeable
All things that are made, according to Hebrews 12:27, will be shaken so that only the things that cannot be shaken may remain. The question is what parts of our life are involved with the unshakeable?
A teenage boy spends hours playing Halo or some other video game mastering the fine points of how to reach the higher levels. A young girl reads all about the latest “hottie” in People or some other popular entertainment magazine. A man spends hours each day checking the latest sports news and scores as well as various favorite Internet sites which may even include some pornographic sites. Many people think nothing of spending several hours texting and posting on the various social media networks. What lasting effects or what practical value has these pursuits? Obviously, none.
Furthermore, the majority of people spend significant amount of time and effort to make money to spend on worldly comforts and pleasures. We strive to get the highest paying job that doesn’t require too much work or stress. We consider various luxuries such as the latest cell phones, high definition televisions, computers with high speed Internet connections, and various entertainment options as necessary expenditures, yet seldom consider the possibility of a higher and more unshakeable investment that could change lives forever. Would we be so nonchalant and secure if we knew that the vast majority of these activities will be shaken? Would there be a shift in the way we look at things and how we seek to spend our time?
According to Barna surveys the typical Christian spends less than a minute of the day talking to God or reading His word, and uses the other 1,439 minutes for mostly temporary things that don’t matter and will pass away. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will not. Likewise in the parable of a wise man building on the rock instead of the sinking sand, the difference was hearing and obeying the word. There is a critical need to examine and determine what is built solid on Biblical principles in our lives. In other words, what parts of our life are unshakeable?
It isn’t even a question “what if” things were to change, the only question is when. Knowing this what type of person ought we to be? How can we begin to change? The answer is simple and yet completely profound. Read the word. Think about the word. Make our thoughts and ways line up with the truth of His thoughts and ways. What you think, what you desire, what choices you make that are consistent with God’s word, these will last forever and be unshakeable.
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I agree. Even in my own life, I find it hard to have a sufficient amount of time set aside to just be with God. It is especially hard these days because there are so many distractions. Sometimes it’s tv; sometimes cell phone; sometimes video games; sometimes internet; sometimes it's homework; sometimes it’s a job; sometimes it’s chores; sometimes it’s friends; sometimes it’s an event; and sometimes it’s a combination of multiple things. But despite those things, it is possible to set aside some time to get with God. Some days you have more time then others. But you will always have time. And even if you miss that time you set for spending time with Him, you can always think about Him and talk to Him throughout your day. It’s very possible to “pray without ceasing”. Most people think that that is unreachable, but its not. Difficult, very much so, but not impossible. It is possible to have your mind constantly on God.
ReplyDeleteIt’s true that a lot of the stuff we think about doesn’t really matter. But sometimes it’s really hard to see it that way. For example, if you were on a missions trip, living without any of your usual accessories (tv, cell phone, internet, video games, homework, etc.) and you were doing what you knew was God’s heart and you were with people that felt the same way, you would forget really quickly about the temporary things. But when you are surrounded by the world at every turn, it almost “blurs” your vision. The bigger picture becomes a lot harder to see when it’s not right in front of you.
On the other hand, however, I don’t think there is anything wrong with watching sports or playing games or texting or tv. They are not the problem. It’s what you do with them. Psalm 62:10 “Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.” It’s not a sin to want to get a new mp3 player, and it’s not a sin to save up some money for it. If God calls you to use that money in a different way, fine. That’s great. But God wants to bless his children with gifts. Ecclesiastes 5:19 “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.” So if you have the latest phone, you’re not a sinner. But if you choose to talk on that phone instead of having a quiet time, you may need to rethink your priorities.