Love God and People, Not Things
Judi Wheat / Next Gen Early Childhood Curriculum
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| Photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash |
As I was reflecting during my quiet time this morning, I thought back to our family gathered around the table at Thanksgiving. Our twelve-year-old grandson initiated a conversation by asking the question, “What are you thankful for?” Three generations responded, grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. The answers were interesting. Not one person responded about being thankful for success, material possessions, or in general “things.” All responses centered around relationships. Being thankful for certain people in our lives.
It made me stop and think about the verses I had just read from I John 2: 15-17 NLT, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.” We need to immerse ourselves in God’s Word and in intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father and each other, desiring the things of God rather than the things of the world.
The key is to stay close to Jesus. My desire is to make Jesus the top priority in my life, building an intimate relationship with Him. To really know and trust Him, thanking Him continually for who He is and what He has done for me.
During this busy Christmas season, I am reminded to keep my focus centered on not only the Jesus of the manger but the risen Christ. Take time during this special season to “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
It made me stop and think about the verses I had just read from I John 2: 15-17 NLT, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.” We need to immerse ourselves in God’s Word and in intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father and each other, desiring the things of God rather than the things of the world.
The key is to stay close to Jesus. My desire is to make Jesus the top priority in my life, building an intimate relationship with Him. To really know and trust Him, thanking Him continually for who He is and what He has done for me.
During this busy Christmas season, I am reminded to keep my focus centered on not only the Jesus of the manger but the risen Christ. Take time during this special season to “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)