Let's face it, the first item on our goal list is not to be the most unpopular person within our social environment. I was watching a comedian one night, and he described himself as 15 degrees off from cool. He said that you could take the "cool kids" and compare him with them, and he would be slightly awkward. While the audience laughed, I think that at the same time, each one could relate to some degree. We all want to be liked and accepted. We want to have friends and be considered people of influence within the community. But when does that desire become too much?
1 John 2:15-17 says - 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
There is a disconnect between what the world wants and what God wants. Sometimes, we get a little confused and our minds start to drift from the things of God to the things of the world. We begin to think about how nice a newer car, a larger house, a more fashionable wardrobe, a more powerful job,or a fuller day planner would be. Yet, in the end, none of these things will last. However, the work that we do for the kingdom of God will make an eternal impact.
Think about the people who have made the biggest impact in your life. Was is because they were the most popular, had be best "stuff", or even had the charisma to impress you the most? What was it about those people? Chances are they were humble in nature, not given much credit for what they did, and you would not be able to pick them out in a crowd. Or at least, it was not their popularity that made the impact on you. Conversely, they most likely had the love of the Father in them and shared that love with you.
When we begin to focus more on how to increase what belongs to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, or the pride of life rather than focusing on God, we are heading down the wrong path and need to turn our thinking quickly. God knows his plans for us and when we look to him and trust him, they will work out as long as we seek him. Then, wherever we are placed, it is God who is glorified.
The temptation is to have the world tell us how great we are, but when they do that, they do not see how great is our God. To God Be The Glory!
*Disclaimer - I am not saying that God does not place people in high positions, because we see that in Scripture (a great example is Joseph). However, our mindset should not be on getting to those position, but rather loving the Father.
1 John 2:15-17 says - 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
There is a disconnect between what the world wants and what God wants. Sometimes, we get a little confused and our minds start to drift from the things of God to the things of the world. We begin to think about how nice a newer car, a larger house, a more fashionable wardrobe, a more powerful job,or a fuller day planner would be. Yet, in the end, none of these things will last. However, the work that we do for the kingdom of God will make an eternal impact.
Think about the people who have made the biggest impact in your life. Was is because they were the most popular, had be best "stuff", or even had the charisma to impress you the most? What was it about those people? Chances are they were humble in nature, not given much credit for what they did, and you would not be able to pick them out in a crowd. Or at least, it was not their popularity that made the impact on you. Conversely, they most likely had the love of the Father in them and shared that love with you.
When we begin to focus more on how to increase what belongs to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, or the pride of life rather than focusing on God, we are heading down the wrong path and need to turn our thinking quickly. God knows his plans for us and when we look to him and trust him, they will work out as long as we seek him. Then, wherever we are placed, it is God who is glorified.
The temptation is to have the world tell us how great we are, but when they do that, they do not see how great is our God. To God Be The Glory!
*Disclaimer - I am not saying that God does not place people in high positions, because we see that in Scripture (a great example is Joseph). However, our mindset should not be on getting to those position, but rather loving the Father.
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