Focus on the eternal

 5 Nov 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion


Focus on the eternal

Paul was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person's life. To what are you drawn when you feel empty inside? How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities, and your source of power.


“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

——————-

Reflections

Have you sometimes wonder what drives us? Is it the want to be at the top, to be manager? To be recognised and acknowledged for the work well done? Or is it a better house, a better car? Perhaps it’s because we want to travel more? In the end, would all these things give us eternal life? Would it contribute to it?


Paul has a really sharp focus. Once he comes to Christ his life was a total transformation. All he wanted to do was to spread the gospel, disciple and bear good witness for God. Are we, following his example on how to be a child of God too? I think there’s such a big gap to be honest. Me included. Not sure if it is due to our environment or something. But I find that we are too comfortable, too complacent. There is no sense of urgency. There is no focus on Jesus. People are generally pre-occupied by all the goings of the world. 


As we come to the last second month of the year, perhaps it is also time for us to take stock, reflect on our past year. Was there anything that we plan to start this year but have yet to start? Were there things that we tell ourselves we want to stop but didn’t? Or anything else that you have told yourself you want to complete, etc but cannot seem to have it done? Perhaps then, it is time for us to try to do something about it. Take the step out and set to finish the things that we plan to finish and ignore other distractions. One last question also to ask ourselves. Do we seemed to be nearer to God or are we being further away?  This is between us and God and I hope for every one of us, our answer is yes, I grow nearer to God.

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