I was recently reminded of how many things we often desire are not that important, especially here in the USA, even some of the poorer people are blessed above kings of the past. Many people do not see what is in front of them as there eyes are often out on the horizon of want.
My remembrance of an early epiphany was stirred back into my mind when I watched the weekly "Answers Creation Hour" on NRB network this last Tuesday night. They had a showing of "Created Cosmos" which scratches the surface about the miracle of the vastness of our universe and the wonderful things God has created. I always knew the universe was big, but this show really puts things into perspective as to just how minute our world is and how much more God created than we see with our eyes. Truly, no person has a excuse to deny the existence of God when we can clearly see His handy work in His creation! This reminds me of the passage:
Rom 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
When we are aware of the miracle that we even exist, it makes us view things a bit differently. Some things loose their value in our thoughts while other things that we take for granted become the most important. So often we just do not focus on those important parts of life. Much like that old song "The cats in the cradle".
As an example, many of us work harder than we need, to obtain more or improved of what we already have and have little time to enjoy that which we possess. At what point do we actually make enough to live decent life without sacrificing the most precious possession we have, which is time? Do we really need that extra 1,000 feet on a home to be happy? Is that car which is two years old really so horrible that we must have a new vehicle forcing use to work harder? Is that expensive vacation really required or could we obtain more rest and still have a rewarding vacation much closer to home with little cost? What extravagances can we do without and apply those extra hours of work to spend with God, our family or friends?
Here is the point, we need to reevaluate our lives and see what is really important and how much work it actually takes to obtain that level of happiness. If we take some of the poorer people of this nation as an example, say someone living in a small rented home with a car that is eight to ten years old but runs good with a job paying enough that they have a couple hundred dollars left over per month, they are living better than Kings in the past!
Before you think I am crazy (may be too late for some ;) ), think for just a few minutes. With the example above, the person puts in 40 hours per week to enjoy a living better than the kings of the past in that they:
- have hot and cold running water by just turning the tap
- can walk into their kitchen and cook a meal any time of the day or night
- the can go to the supermarket and pick up all kinds of food the year around
- if they decide to, they can get in to their car, drive to a fast food place (do not even have to walk) and pick up a meal within minutes with a variety of cuisine
- when they are bored, they simply turn on the TV, radio, DVD, etc, any time of the day or night
- can fire up the computer and browse information from all around the world which at times is only few seconds old
- if they should wish to talk to someone, they simply pick up the phone and call
- when they are cold they turn on the heat, when they are hot they turn on the air conditioning
These are only a few things that people working at what some would call trivial jobs can have in this nation. Yeah, they might not have the latest vehicle nor the biggest plasma TV screen but they have 128 hours per week to live and enjoy all that God has created!
This is where we turn to what is really important. To me, what is important is God of course, and then family, then friends. Beyond that what is there? You can have wealth beyond reason, but if you do not know God and do not have family and your friends are questionable, what do you really have? Of course, if you do not have God, you are instantly losing out not only in this life, but also what shall follow, just remember there will be a test...
So, they next time you feel you should sacrifice more of you time to possess something you really do not need, give it a second, third or even forth thought and think of how you could better spend that time such as with God, family or friends. At the end of the day, these are all you have and the only things that will follow you after this life is over!
One of the greatest mistakes we can make in this life is to waste our life on those things that do not matter...