THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!

 

     I think ever red- blooded man or woman who loves on this planet wants to be a success. I have never heard a young teenager ever say, " I think I want to grow up and become a drug addict, alcoholic and spend time in prison." I certainly hope no one ever says that. Of course, we all want to succeed, make lots of money, get married, have kids, buy a home in a nice neighborhood and "Live the dream." I am a 61-year-old Christian man who can honestly say none of those things matter. I heard someone say one time, "At a funeral procession, you will never see a hearse pulling a trailer of that person's valuables." In other words, all the "stuff" you accumulate through the years will never ever matter and will never last forever. You can't take it with you after you die. It will remain here on earth and be passed on to others. 

     I know personally the plan I had for me life never panned out for me. I wanted to go to college to become a writer, journalist or author. I never had the thought of children's ministry, pastoring or missions on my mind. I wanted to live the dream, be a success and make "6 figures." God had other plans, and I am so glad I followed it! I see many different types of people where I work at Chick Fil-A every single day. The single mom driving a beat-up car, the wealthy man driving a new Tesla, the 70- year- old woman still working 2 jobs to make ends meet, the construction worker with the callous hands and dirty reflective vest or the young lady looking disheveled after a huge workout at Planet Fitness. Every single one of those people want to be a success in life. I often wonder if they have reached that goal and if they are happy. Let me be perfectly honest. I have only found success with one person by my side and that is Jesus! HE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS! Trust me, I have tried it my way and it never works. Following Jesus every single day is the only thing that matters to me. Sure, I have slipped, I have fallen, I have sinned, and I have failed. I work very hard at my relationship with Jesus Christ. It is certainly not a religion that is man-made, it is truly a relationship that I cherish every day. This week is Holy Week. On Friday we celebrate Good Friday which is although very somber where Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary, it is a day to celebrate what Jesus did for us. He died for all of our sins. He took our place on that old rugged cross. That was Friday...but Sunday is coming! That's when Jesus rose again and He lives forever.

     You could say to me, "Dave, we know you are a religious man. You are a pastor; a Bible College graduate and you grew up in church. We all know that of course you would say that." Let me answer that by saying I know in living my life that there is nothing else that matters. What does matter is where I am going to be spending eternity. I am only here on earth temporarily. I could be going home to heaven next week, next year, 5 years for now or in 2064 when I turn 100 years old. Until that day, I will strive to live my best life following Jesus, the only thing that matters!