Always & Forever About Jesus

 Another morning lounging around until noon in my pjs, I thought, “I suppose I should do some devotions.” Another example on how I am totally imperfect. Devotions shouldn’t be a chore, but with the everyday demands of life, it can unfortunately feel like it. With this mentality I then felt guilty for even trying to do devotions-I was already distracted by texting my friends and discussing nonsense. But the Lord had something else in mind. Regardless, of my distractions and somewhat shame, He told me to read Ecc. 4

*I realize a lot of my blog posts begin this way. Just know it’s going to be a good one.

I don’t know about you but this chapter broke down into four different and specific topics for me.

1.      Life

2.      Money

3.      Companionship

4.      Wisdom

Going further than that, these passages spoke about the motivation for behind each topic.

1.      My idea behind life

2.      My idea behind  money

3.      My idea behind companionship

4.      My idea behind wisdom

The more I thought about my life (this would be a good part to think about your own), a lot of what really motivates me…is me. Think about it. Why do you do what you do? To get ahead in life? To have something more than another? 

Although these things (love, money, family, ect.) can be good, even great things…the motivation behind all of it is really selfishness.

I admit as this year has gone by with all of the preparations to go back to India, there have been times in which I thought I was the coolest thing ever. Here I was going across seas and going on this awesome adventure, while others were not. Selfish thinking I know. It didn’t begin that way. But at some point those thoughts crept in.

So I thought to myself, “How do become more giving and less selfish in these areas of my life?”

Tis the season of giving. But is giving really only designated for a season? As a Christian, a Christ Follower, we need to change that. I defiantly need to change that!

So how do we transition from

Well like any transition in life, it needs to involve Jesus.

Believe it or not, I didn’t come up with that on my own. It literally took talking to my friend (yes, the friend I was texting during devotions) to remind me. I was recalling the Christmas gifts I recently bought for my sister and a thought came to my mind, “And why did I buy those specific gifts?” My answer, “Well, I want my sister to know Jesus.”

That, that is the answer. The solution. 

That, that is the real reason why I am going to India-so I can better tell people in India about Jesus.

That should be the reason for everything we want in life as Christ Followers because we acknowledge the greatest gift ever given-Jesus.

Like the birth of a child, it brings about a change, a new chapter. It is full of responsibilities, full of stress, full of joys. It requires intensive care, nourishment, and love.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing by being born by the virgin Mary and to her husband Joseph those many years ago. God knew the exact time and place where Jesus was going to be born. He orchestrated it as such. He was in control even when the inn keeper said there was no room, He was in control when they had to leave Bethlehem due to King David being on a jealousy killing spree, and He was certainly in control when Jesus was being lead to the cross.

It’s always and forever about Jesus.

Look it up, all through the scriptures, regardless of the circumstances God replies: “This has happened so that the glory of God may be revealed and everyone would know that He is the one, true & living God.”  

In fact the whole Nativity Scene can shed light on our matter at hand & our motivations. I would go take a look at it if I were you.

I was about to end my devotions there, listen to the worship song: “It’s All About You” and call it a day. But no, we cannot end there. So we have the solution to our question, but do we have an action plan. We can’t just shot out an answer of, “Jesus” and stop there.

So I analyzed my topics again:

1.      Family (giving life to another)

2.      Career (stable finances)

3.      A Spouse (Companionship)

4.      Wisdom

Instead of my motivation for these things simply being because I want them (man, I sound like a typical American). But putting myself aside and putting Jesus front & forward, my action plan for doing so is as such:

1.      Instead of just wanting a family, I would want a family (if God allows it) to have more people with dynamic personalities to minister to the parts of the world unreached.

2.      In my career choice and motivation for that possibly being money (in which a lot of times it is), I should remember that no matter what happens God takes care of me. He is always faithful and He provides my needs.

3.      To have a companion in this life shouldn’t be to just eliminate my loneliness, but   because “two cords are better than one.” Too many times I try to do things alone, but with these big dreams of mine, I can’t do this by myself. I need a partner who is also in Christ & we need to all be a team.

4.      To not be wise in my own eyes, I need to always be seeking counsel and remembering that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

Your Turn:

·         So do you have a problem with selfishness too? If so, we’re twins!

·         Do you know why you’re selfish or what motivates it?

·         How are you going to become selfless?

·         Do you find Jesus to be the answer?

·         How do you find Jesus to be the answer?