It’s actually quite sad when I look back…
Tonight, I was sharing with someone some elements of my former life (before Jesus), and specifically, my love of old Holdens / Toranas.
I loved them so much I had ‘shrines’ in my house with all kinds of rare collectibles. I owned literally hundreds of them and built a business around them: selling parts & repairing them. At one stage, I wouldn’t even allow people to park on my property if they weren’t in a Holden.
It seems *so* ridiculous now – I mean *WHO CARES??!!*
Sure I still like the look of them: I would still love to thrash or race one (if someone gave me the opportunity), but there is no pull, no loyalty and definitely no desire to buy one now…
If a vehicle gets me where God needs me to go, that’s good enough for me… To think that I was so wound up with any brand or product is actually quite embarrassing.
But that is what we will do if we have no identity / don’t know our Creator. We are designed to worship God and if we refuse, will end up worshipping something – no matter how illogical or powerless that said ‘god’ is.
From sport to racing to cars to music to possessions – it is all meaningless and a trap our culture has bought in to.
Virtual slaves, we are never satisfied, always left wanting more and often sacrifice what *really* matters: our spiritual eternity, emotional health, relationships with spouse, children, family and our service to the community at large.
The Bible describes it so well:
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)
As Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, came to discover:
But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NLT)
No matter what you own, what you build, what you achieve, it is nothing – it slips through your fingers and all that is left, is eternity.
They [the rich] will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
James 1:10-11 (NLT)
To illustrate this reality, Jesus told a parable of a man who had plans to expand His business: but God’s response was brutal:
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:20-21 (NLT)
So friend, where are you at? What takes your time, your priority, your thoughts, your planning, your energy? Is it the things of eternity – building the Kingdom of God, intentionally loving your spouse, proactively discipling your children, investing in relationships that will last? Or have you been distracted and tricked into the love or worship of self / money / fun?
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Luke 12:34 (NLT)
Lord, please forgive us for chasing after activities and possessions that do not honour You. Help us to see the value of the things that are eternal and give us the strength to choose them as a lifestyle. Please give those we have neglected grace to forgive us and help us restore these people and relationships to their rightful priority in our lives. Use us to reflect Your love & Truth to others. ThankYou for Your faithfulness and for loving us despite all our selfishness. ThankYou for sending Jesus to pay the penalty of all we have done.
Luke 12:22-34 (NLT)
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said,
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.