What Really Matters?

I had a dream the other night that kind of disturbed me...

I was at a church getting ready for a funeral, doing the things I normally do to prepare for one. Then I realized that the funeral was for me. I don't know what happened next because I woke up right after I realized it was my funeral. I looked at the clock on my phone and it was around 3 AM. I wanted to go back to sleep, but my mind was racing a bit. Then, this question came to my mind: "When I die, will the things that I focus most of my time on go with me?"

It wasn't really that odd of a question for a pastor, especially one who had been studying Matthew 6 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." But it still made me pause and reflect on the values and passions of my life.

Then, yesterday, one of our high school girls at church, Bethanie Young, was in a severe, head-on collision going home from school. She and her family are very dear to us, and we waited and prayed as the doctors repaired her broken body. Again, the thought went through my mind: "When you boil everything in life down, what really matters? Am I focused on the things of this world or am I truly "setting my mind on things above" (Colossians 3)?" I just read a quote from one of the Young's friends on Facebook that said, "My world tipped when I heard about Beth. I know it is easy for us to get wrapped up in softball; this has changed my view of what is important. God has a mission for Beth, and I can't wait to see her life unfold." I am so thankful that Bethanie knows Jesus and that God does in fact have a mission for her life. Her mom posted that when she woke up and realized that something awful had happened to her, she wanted to pray and Karla said she prayed "the most beautiful prayer of thanksgiving" to God. That is someone who knows what really matters!!!

So, what do I do with all of this? I will answer much of this on Sunday in my message called, "Pursue" in our current series, "Walking With God", but let me remind you that you must pursue the things of heaven that will last forever. You must know what really matters - Jesus Christ - and he is the ONLY thing that really matters when life is over.

If you are reading this and you have never trusted in Jesus and let him become your Lord and Savior, I am begging you - at the risk of offending you - to consider if the things your life is consumed with will last past your death. Please don't let another day go by without accepting Jesus and beginning a relationship with him. If you don't know what that means or how to do that, please contact me (nathan@antiochokc.org). I love you too much to let another day go by without saying this to you.

One day, that funeral will be mine, and it won't be me preparing for it. But I am already prepared for that day... are you???

The Miniature Earth

We are very blessed compared to the rest of the world. Thank God today for what you have and ask these questions... "What will I do with this? What impact can I make for someone else today?"