// Less me – More Him //

 

Recently, I found that among the increasing “to-do’s” that stain my schedule, I barely find to breathe….minor exaggeration, I know, however, you get the point. Such a schedule ever so often forces me to relegate God to a few minutes of my daily routine, and in no way is demoting the Creator of the Universe to a measly ten minuets each morning acceptable. I occasionally become so engulfed in my responsibilities as to insinuate that God isn’t as significant as my current obligations, an incredibly inaccurate stance. I engage in my daily activities, enthralled with achieving perfection – invariably fixating my “eye on the prize,” forgetting that the greatest prize of all isn’t found in this sinful world.

In Matthew 6: 19-21, the Bible states :

9 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In an ever-so-darkening world, it’s surprisingly uncomplicated to replace our God with our goals and our earthly success with our Savior.

As a whole, humans possess an inclination to consider only the benefit of themselves, always endeavoring to be more prosperous- more outstanding.Whether it be a fancier car, a tidier home, a prettier face, a slimmer figure, a larger title, everyone wrestles with worldliness.

“But, Mom, if I just get these new shoes, all my friends at school will think I’m the coolest.”

or

“If I just lose a few more pounds, he’ll think I’m prettier.”

We’ve all been there.

Chasing the proposals of the world is a sin, and we ALL struggle, EVERY last one of us; and believe me, I am no exception to such a statistic.

However, attempting to duplicate yourself with a sinister world such as this is a worthless endeavor.

1 Samuel 16:7

…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to no longer be conformed to this world, to no longer “fit in.” We are called to be different – to stand out.

Whilst others may be starting their morning in Starbucks, you may be starting your morning in the Bible. As your friends are getting drunk at “the party of the century,” you may be volunteering at a Rescue Mission. Instead of griping and complaining about just how gruesome Mondays are( and we all are increasingly aware of just how gruesome Mondays can be), you may be joyfully completing your tasks in such a way that pleases the Lord.

Regardless of the situation at hand, a Christian’s behavior will be prominently contrastive to this world. He will talk differently, dress differently,act differently- His light will be brilliantly shining as this world grows dimmer and dimmer. He won’t be perfect, for all have sinned and fallen short, however he will venture to be the best that he can be for God.

Now, living in such a way that glories God might not always be comfortable. You may be gazed at with intrigue. You may be ridiculed, derided, and insulted.However, John 16: 33 assures us :

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

So, despite our natural desire to obtain earthly recognition and achievement, we must acknowledge that earthly belongings and prosperity are insignificant to God. We are called to set our minds on things above. As Christians, we may not consistently replicate the patterns of this present world, and we will experience difficulties as a result, nevertheless the Lord will be glorified, and after all, isn’t that our primary goal?