Where time matters most

Acts 18:20-21 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

In the context of this passage, it is written of the Apostle Paul visiting about six places. All of his stops were to strengthen the churches. Paul would visit an area, men would come to faith, and Paul would prepare them to lead their new church God had entrusted them with. Paul would usually return at a later time to help with the problems that have arisen, and encourage them to be strong in the tasks of building the kingdom. Do you realize that most of Paul’s New Testament writings are to these churches that he started? Paul life was focused, focused on one thing that truly mattered; a heavenly focus to share the heavenly hope of God’s grace and mercy available to everyone who will repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

I am a workaholic by nature, I relax by doing work projects. My job is incredibly demanding, and living a life on call is difficult at the highest level. Only a few people truly understand what it is like to live your life on call, never able to truly take off from work. Some of us are so bound by work we miss the joy of life because we are focused on the next sale, the next promotion, or just the money for the next pleasure. My youngest son prayed for me to not have to work so much this weekend……it hurt to the core. Are you missing out on what truly matters in life, investments in the only things that matter? Eternal investments are in people. In their lives, in their eternal lives, in their knowledge of Jesus Christ and understanding that this life is temporal.

The Apostle Paul got it. He lived his life focused on the next life. Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Paul lived his life abiding in Christ; he was in a state of being in Christ. He focused on what truly mattered, sharing the gospel to a dying world. When you begin to spend daily time with God, seeking him in prayer and his Word, every, single, day, you become more like Jesus. Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. You are transformed by the power of God through his Spirit that opens the truths of God to you. You begin to see what truly matters, like Paul, you begin to seek making eternal investments. Is whatever you are focused on today, going to make a difference in someone for eternity? Is the next purchase going to get someone close to you the keys to heaven? Why not spend time asking God to open your heart and eyes to someone close to you that needs the Good News today? Spend some time…….where it matters most.