“Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21
Today we continue our look at the fact that authentic worship requires focus.
Yesterday you were encouraged to focus on Gods’ presence instead of power.
Another aspect of authentic worship is seen in those who
choose to focus on God’s peace instead of prestige.
Our emphasis today however, is learning to focus on people instead of possessions.
So often our actions (when we are honest in evaluating them) can reveal true motives more than the words that we speak.
Let me give you a simple (fictional) example:
Suppose you were invited to someone’s home because they said they would like to get to know you better. They greet you warmly at the door but then proceed to spend the rest of your visit with them regaling you with a grand tour of their home, stopping at each and every furnishing and gadget to point out its’ cost, features and absolute necessity to sustain their lifestyle. Then they hustle you back to the door, again warmly expressing their thanks for your coming to ‘visit’ with them, and politely invite your exit.
How would you feel after that visit?
Used? Exploited? Valued? Honored?
The point of my exaggerated story is that we can sometimes value possessions over people and what we value is what we focus on.
Take this simple test: the next time you are with others make it a point to listen carefully where the direction of the conversation heads.
Does it reveal a superficial interest in people and a passion and focus for “things”?
What do they know about you and what do you know about them that you didn’t before your conversation. Is it your (or their) latest purchase or did you find they had a passion for God and for His people that caused them to care genuinely for you and others?
A singer some may remember for his song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” named BJ Thomas (sorry, it reveals my age) used to sing a song that (I’m paraphrasing) said:
We are loving things and using people
BUT
using things and loving people – that’s the way it ought to be.
What then, does this have to do with authentic worship?
God created you and I in His image and He loves us.
When we focus on ‘things’ over people we
are living with values that are different from Gods’.
Our worship to Him is not authentic but becomes hypocritical.
If you want authentic worship to grow in your life then value what God values. Focus on people instead of possessions.
Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21
Today we continue our look at the fact that authentic worship requires focus.
Yesterday you were encouraged to focus on Gods’ presence instead of power.
Another aspect of authentic worship is seen in those who
choose to focus on God’s peace instead of prestige.
Our emphasis today however, is learning to focus on people instead of possessions.
So often our actions (when we are honest in evaluating them) can reveal true motives more than the words that we speak.
Let me give you a simple (fictional) example:
Suppose you were invited to someone’s home because they said they would like to get to know you better. They greet you warmly at the door but then proceed to spend the rest of your visit with them regaling you with a grand tour of their home, stopping at each and every furnishing and gadget to point out its’ cost, features and absolute necessity to sustain their lifestyle. Then they hustle you back to the door, again warmly expressing their thanks for your coming to ‘visit’ with them, and politely invite your exit.
How would you feel after that visit?
Used? Exploited? Valued? Honored?
The point of my exaggerated story is that we can sometimes value possessions over people and what we value is what we focus on.
Take this simple test: the next time you are with others make it a point to listen carefully where the direction of the conversation heads.
Does it reveal a superficial interest in people and a passion and focus for “things”?
What do they know about you and what do you know about them that you didn’t before your conversation. Is it your (or their) latest purchase or did you find they had a passion for God and for His people that caused them to care genuinely for you and others?
A singer some may remember for his song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” named BJ Thomas (sorry, it reveals my age) used to sing a song that (I’m paraphrasing) said:
We are loving things and using people
BUT
using things and loving people – that’s the way it ought to be.
What then, does this have to do with authentic worship?
God created you and I in His image and He loves us.
When we focus on ‘things’ over people we
are living with values that are different from Gods’.
Our worship to Him is not authentic but becomes hypocritical.
If you want authentic worship to grow in your life then value what God values. Focus on people instead of possessions.
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