What do I VALUE?
What is the most VALUABLE THING in your life? It is not as easy to answer this question as it would seem. Because first you have to decide WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE, you are going to have to determine HOW to measure the value. It is easy to just go with MONEY as your measurement. BUT, do you use the original cost, depreciated, fair market value? I know I am making this MORE COMPLICATED than it needs to be. LOL! Do you measure VALUE by how much YOU ENJOY something? I really enjoy riding my MOTORCYCLE. (Although that has happened in what seems like forever) Is that the most valuable? Then, of course, we get into the value of our RELATIONSHIPS. Do I enjoy riding my motorcycle MORE than I enjoy Stephanie's presence? (FOR those that want to know my answer - Stephanie and I have been separated (LOL!) for about a month while we continue to transition to our new home in the New Castle area. AND YES, I realize that I truly Do value her relationship and our time together INFINITELY MORE than riding my motorcycle!)
I was reading Philippians 3 this morning. PAUL opens this chapter with a simple comment "REJOICE IN THE LORD!" He then goes through a list of things that have gotten in the way of REJOICING IN THE LORD. He was a Pharisee. Formerly, he valued the LAW above everything else. He thought rejoicing in the Lord ONLY happened when he followed the law. But listen to what he says next:
"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith." (Philippians 3:7-9, NLT)
There is NOTHING more valuable than our FAITH in JESUS CHRIST. It really doesn't matter how we measure it. There are no relationships, no things, no jobs, no people, no cool motorcycles, NOTHING is more VALUABLE than our relationship with JESUS. Are we living our lives placing the HIGHEST VALUE on our RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS? AM I? It is easy to answer, YES. But, if I examine my life am I placing a higher value on work, family, things, my time, than I am on the value of my relationnship with JESUS?
How am I measuring the VALUE of THINGS in my life? I pray that we can all, including myself, REJOICE IN THE LORD, because this RELATIONSHIP JESUS is the most valuable part of our life.
Amen
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