All the Same

    Comparison and division are two things we are taught early on in life and are part of human nature. What if we stopped comparing and dividing? We can make a big difference in this world if we set those two things aside and seek ways to live in peace. We can not agree on things, but we can still get along.

    Comparison hurts us because we can only see what the person we are comparing ourselves to shares with us. We do not know what they have walked through, are walking through, or what they will walk through. The devil likes to work that way. He wants us to see the other person's life through rose-colored glasses so we will lust after what they have; which keeps us from being grateful for what God has done for us. What would happen if we looked at the person who has more than us, and thanked God for blessing them? What if we took the time to ask if they had a need instead of assuming that they didn’t face any struggles?

    Division hurts us because we shut ourselves out from accepting others and learning from their differences. We often exclude those who are different because we are scared or unsure how to interact with them. We can learn from those who are different than us and grow to become more empathetic as we understand our differences. What if we took the time to listen to their story? What if we took a moment and asked how we could pray for them? 

    This world is becoming full of people walking around hurt and looking for the truth and to be loved. People are looking for a quick fix, a band-aid, and a slap on the back to help them get over the hurt they feel, but sadly, there isn’t a quick fix. There is hope and that hope is a savior who can fix our lives. His name is JESUS! He can stop the hurt and put on a soothing salve to ease the pain. Sometimes it’s the Christian who needs reminding of our hope in Jesus. There are many who are hurting who do not know him. That is when we as Christians need to step up and share what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. It’s okay to share our struggles how else will nonbelievers know we don’t have it all together and see what a difference Jesus makes?

    Though we are all unique and created with different likes and dislikes we are all the same. We all need Jesus. We all have basic needs that need to be met before we can function as a normal human. We need to feel accepted and loved. We need to have food and water. We all are created in God’s image and loved deeply by him. 

    My heart hurts with all the comparison and division in the world. The young and the old alike are hurting. We have a great task before us. The harvest is ready, but are we ready to work? We may not be able to completely stop the hurting, but we can make a difference by giving hope to the hurting. It starts with looking within and asking God to change our hearts. Let the revival start with me and spread to those around me. When we realize we are all the same and need each other, we can come together, with God’s help, and make a difference in this world and add to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

“In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.” Colossians 3:11

First Things First

What are your priorities? Who comes first in your life? What do you spend your money on? A good look at your time and wallet will give you an honest answer. It may not be the answer you want, but it will be the one you need.

Why would anyone want to look at their priorities? Are you feeling tired? Burned out? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Then it would do you some good to slow down and look at your priorities. We all need to take a step back and look at our lives periodically to make sure we’re still heading in the direction God wants us to, but it becomes even more of a necessity when we find ourselves questioning our life decisions like the career we chose.

When we start to feel tired, burned out, stressed, and overwhelmed it’s typically because we are chasing after things we shouldn’t or we are doing all the work and not allowing God to have his rightful place in our lives. We tend to take on too much and then wonder why we are worn out. Our culture has led us to believe that the busier we are the better off we are. We think every day should be jam-packed with some sort of activity, whether work, play, or chores around the house. Stop and think, when was the last time you read a book or just sat outside? 

God wants us to enjoy life, but He didn’t create us to run on E all the time. If you find yourself running on an empty more than you’re running on a full tank it may be time to reevaluate your priorities. It doesn’t take much for them to get a little skewed and the next thing we know all the sirens are sounding, red lights are flashing, and we’re surrounded by negative emotions because the wrong priorities have become first in our lives. Even in the chaos if we keep the first things first we will notice God working in our lives. What do I mean by keeping the first things first? 

We seek God’s will. 

We live His truths and walk in His ways. 

We keep our eyes on Jesus. 

When we do these things our priorities will be right. We wake up each day thankful for another day instead of grumbling that another day is here. We notice a lil’ skip in our step. We become the light for others in their darkness. We see the good in each day. 

Jim Burns says, “The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule but to schedule your priorities.” I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. Our lives are too short to trudge through our days with scowls on our faces and beating the melancholy drum. So, let’s put the first things first and find that our JOY really does come from the Lord. 

Take a moment to click the link and listen to First Things First by Consumed By Fire. 

“You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11