Which is more important - to have more years to your life or more life to your years?
A person who keeps worrying about his wealth that he spends all his life earning money but is not able to enjoy the blessings that he already has.
A person who has all the money in the world but keeps everything to himself that he doesn't experience the joy of giving.
A person who is very conscious about his health and worries about each ingredient in his food that he cannot enjoy the fellowship with other people while eating.
A person who keeps worrying about how he looks physically that he withdraws from the crowd because he feels inferior.
A "disabled" person who worries about what other people think of him that he just wants to be alone.
A sick person who worries constantly about his future that he misses his beautiful family and the beautiful world that God has created.
An intelligent young person who worries about being an outcast if he performs better than the older or more experienced counterparts that he is not able to use the talent that God has blessed him with to the fullest.
A person who constantly thinks about whether he said the right or wrong thing or if he has offended someone through his words and always worries about what other people think of what he said that he cannot have life.
What do these people have in common? The Bible says where your treasure is, your heart is there also. "Treasure" doesn't always refer to money. When you are worrying about something more than God, they become a "treasure" in your heart and an idol which consumes your heart. How we are, what we do one earth, and the people we meet are never a coincidence as we believe that our lives are in God's hands. Even with the limitations that we have, the sufferings that we have to go through, they are all part of His plans.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." - Genesis 50:20
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12
What is more important?
""Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Matthew 2:36-39 (emphasis mine).
Jesus lived a short thirty three years with his last three years ministering God's Word to the world. He loved God most of all, and He loved the people, including the lepers, the tax collectors, and the prostitutes. He wasted no time, lived according to the will of God, and finished his race well. It is easier said than done but I hope I don't value money, health, or own intelligence more than God first and foremost and love the people God places in my life, loving to the fullest, giving generously, regardless of status, race, or religion.
If we miss life's blessings because we worry about what life may bring, what is the purpose of living? This is my prayer - that we may have more life to our years than more years to our life.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10
Which would you choose?
A very good post! Profound thinking about a very important theme. It really does not matter what people think about us. And it's true, we should count our experinces and not the years.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna!
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