The Focus Of Our Labor

John 6:27…….Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.  One of life’s most daunting tasks for me has been balancing meaningful life activities.  We must have a job to support ourselves and a family.; we must spend time with our kid’s to instruct them in godly ways and to show love towards them-not because we have to, but that we get to do so;  we should thirst to serve others (not ourselves/deny self); we must steep our minds in God’s Holy Word;  we………….and so on- I’m certain you get the point.  WOW! Life can be demanding, but it is the most precious gift.  If we are not careful, life will quickly pass us by and we may seem void/empty and let worldliness strip us of the joy God wants for us.  Perhaps it is passages such as John 6:27 that are inspirationally spoken to us to remind that our ultimate focus should be in things eternal and not of earthly spoils.  It is a tough balance as we cannot neglect our jobs or our family and others.  We will go through life phases were our demands are altered (as kids grow up/go on their own, etc).  All these stages will have opportunities to serve others and our Creator.  I think we get duped into believing we must/can do it all………..all the time.  I have learned (by mistakes) that we must focus on the demands of each stage of life, embracing these precious blessings as we journey through our lives.  However, always keeping our plans/focus on the eternal  as we take care of the temporal.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Trash

This post is inspired by a scene in a movie (Coming to America) and a couple friends that share similar comedic  “goofyness”  (Craig and Cindy )…….In the scene, the characters are at a special church service and the time comes to take an offering for a special cause/need.  As the offering containers are being passed through the rows, one gentleman who is so consumed in the singing/entertainment(term loosely used)- he places his trash in the offering plate.  Another character quickly confronts him on what he has done and get’s the response….”I thought is was the trash”………..This prompts me to consider this--how does my heart/attitude reflect my giving?, whether it be time, alms/money, service.  When I am giving am I doing it cheerfully or is my attitude “trash”- giving something because I feel compelled to/or have to in order to satisfy a commandment.  A genuine giving heart does so because we can (through what God has given us).  We give through denying ourselves-our best, first fruits…..not the leftovers (or the trash).  Giving/serving is an attitude of joy, thanksgiving, praise, honor and glory.  When we reach a mature giving attitude, we do so joyfully to help others and to spread the Good News.  Whatever we give, is not our own......It's God's gift/blessing He has entrusted us with to serve Him/others.  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO