What Is Valuable – And What Is Not

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 You may have heard it said "God has a plan for your life." This Scripture in God's Word that tells us that our calling, our ministry, our works, were pre-planned for us. God has created us with a God-shaped void in our hearts, and nothing and no one other than God can fill that void. Men try every which way to fill it with what they think will bring them happiness and fulfillment. Though they try to satisfy that hunger with all sorts of things, in the end they will all say that they are left unsatisfied. Why? Because they tried to satisfy that void with anything OTHER than the only one who can satisfy it, because that's how he fashioned us. To try to fill it any other way is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. It's impossible. How important it is therefore, to seek God, to fill one's heart with the things of God, for that's all that will bring true satisfaction. How important it is to ask to know his plan for us and then to walk in it. Each one is made unique. You are as unique as your fingerprints, there is not another "you" in all of the universe. And God's plan for your life is totally personal, uniquely designed for you, and you are uniquely designed for that plan. If you do not fulfill what God has chosen for you, no one else can. On a yardstick, our life on earth is 1/16th of an inch. The rest we will spend in eternity. How crucial it is therefore, to make the absolute most of this short time, for it is our investment in our eternity. Jesus said: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 Where is your treasure? Is it in the things of the world that are going to pass away? What ARE your treasures? Have they any eternal value? We have a short time to invest ourselves in our eternity and Jesus specifically addressed that, warning us to evaluate our treasures. It's time to let go of useless earthly pleasures and establish right priorities, dedicating ourselves and our short lives in treasures that will last forever. Jesus said that if you invest yourself in heavenly things, HE will take care of your earthly needs. "...do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU." Matthew 6:31-33 Pray with me: Father, my whole life has centered around my earthly desires, and I realize those things are going to pass away. I don't want to be left with nothing when I stand before you. Most of all, I don't want to stand in regret when I stand before you. Please help me to change my priorities and find out from you what things you have planned for me from before I was ever born. Show me your plan for my life. Show me the gifts and talents you have placed within me and how I can find satisfaction in using them for your glory and investing them in my eternity. I surrender myself and my life to you. Let me find the joy of life in that which you have planned and desired for me. Let me not be distracted by what just does not matter. In Jesus's name I pray. "Just one life - 'twill soon be past. Just what's done for Christ - will last."