What Really Matters

by Teresa Bell Kindred

    Do you ever lay in bed at night and plan your next day? I do. Of course I know I'm not guaranteed another day, but if God grants it, then while I wait for sleep and I stare at the ceiling, I think about what I hope to accomplish tomorrow. Most of the time my list is predictable. It includes things like: go to the grocery, wash a couple loads of laundry, work on an article that's due, etc.

    There's nothing wrong with thinking about tomorrow, but it occurred to me recently that if someone asked me what my priorities were, God would be at the top of my list. But, when I plan my days and activities, God isn't at the top of my list. In fact, more often than not, He's not on there at all. That doesn't mean I don't serve Him. I do, but I don't "make plans" to serve Him daily. I don't stare at the ceiling and wonder how can I better serve God tomorrow or how my plans and activities honor His will in my life.

    "How can that be?" I've often wondered. "If God, and serving Him, is really a priority, then why am I not spending more time thinking about what He wants me to do? Why is God's will not the first thing on my 'to do' list?"

    I think the answer to my question is that I am too much like Martha. Remember when Jesus came by for a visit and she complained that Mary wasn't helping her serve. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but {only} one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

    Jesus wasn't worried about who served the food. He knew what really mattered. The important thing was the Bread of Life. As a Christian, I should know that. So why then when I plan my day, my week, my year, am I thinking about things that don't really matter instead of what does?

    Women tend to be "care takers." We take care of our homes, our families, our churches, our communities, and even our children's pets! We spend so much time giving to others that it is easy to forget that we are to serve Him first, then everyone else. In serving Him, we are serving others. What greater lesson of Christian living can our children receive than to see us going about our Father's business.

    I am ashamed of myself for saying that God is my priority and not putting His work first on my daily agenda. My attitude was, "I'll read my Bible, say my prayers, and if I see something He needs me to do, then I'll do it." I'm trading that way of thinking in. This year, my prayer is that at night, when I stare at the ceiling, I will think of opportunities to do His will and better serve Him. I will evaluate my plans based upon that priority and make my choices on my everyday work based on their connection to God's work. I will try harder to walk in His ways and not replace His work by simply being busy at a bunch of other stuff.

    This year, and from now on, I will concentrate on what really matters.

Posted: 01/07/2003
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200301/20030107_matters.html

(c) 2003 Teresa Kindred, <kindred@scrtc.com> - <http://www.teresakindred.com>. Used by permission.

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