Feb. 23, 2007
I don't want to Gain the Whole World and Lose my Soul
Posted in Spiritual Life
|
Matt. 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? ...... Matthew 16: 24-26 This verse has always called to me. The last two days it has hit my heart again, this time through a song on Toby Mac's new release. I have always enjoyed his music, it is fun, very stylish as he uses everything from a rap mode, to brass, and guitar, great vocals etc.. This new release is different from what he has done before with much beautiful harmony, a classier sound and deeper words. That fits as he is now in his early forties, father of quite a few children, with more wisdom on his side then ever before. Age does bring that you know! Track 13 is based on this verse. He wraps on about how the world pulls at him and how he desires to be godly, then the chorus is : I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul. The harmonies are beautiful and as I listened I started to cry. Man, this is where the rubber hits the road. No, we haven't won the jackpot and all of a sudden are now swamped with wealth. Money is not the only draw. How about wanting to be popular in our hometowns, to be known as a success in one of our "titles", seeking the approval of man? How about seeking relaxation, feeding our fleshly desires? There are just so many draws, each tweaked well to suit the individual weak spot in our armour. Gaining the world, even in small ways is obviously something that Jesus wanted us to know could start a process wherein we could lose our soul. The antidote: Jesus says to lay down our lives, take up our cross and follow Him. Keeping our eyes on Jesus versus the world. And finding the joy, the absolute delight in Jesus and obeying Him. I cannot express in words just how exciting it is to walk with our holy God, to seek Him, to bear the cross that He brings to us, and to know that whatever we bear, we bear in the yoke with Him as our partner. The older I get, the more I can honestly say "this world cannot offer me anything compared to Jesus." It may try, and sometimes tempt but I do not want it, the cost is too great. So how do I teach this to my children? Model it, daily and over and over again. Spending money and time with eternity always in mind, and explaining to the children why we live the way we do. Ministering to the least of these, taking care of homless families around the world, the sick, the elderly ...... Pointing out to the children when we fail, when we don't get it right, being honest about when the world is tempting us. They will have a challenge in this tomorrow. A "home-band" that I play in is going to our local elders home and we will play for the folks there. Our children will sing as well. We will sing old Irish and German loves songs from WWll years, hymns and newer worship songs. It will be a blessed time of bringing happiness to these folks who are so forgotten. And, because God is so good, we will be blessed as well. What joy! |
Comments
Feb. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by