Life’s more than hustles. Things come and go
But what we do with what we know lifts or sinks.
We were not created for works, for boom or loss
We are not God’s because of good deeds
We belong because His seed birthed us.
We are not Christians because we are nice
We are because we believe and are saved;
Deeds are fruits of faith, not the root of faith.
God is not the Father of do-gooders but of believers
Who like Christ seek to live His will despite the cost.
We don’t need what we don’t have to live His will
Knowledge exploits adversity to gain weight
That keeps faith buoyant though all else is sinking
It is not how long we live, it is how well we lived
Times and misfortunes are but servants in disguise.
We may do it all, gain it all but only one thing counts:
What we know and did of the Father’s will.

Food for Thought: It is easy to judge ourselves based on the achievements of people around, those we started out with and those who were still being nursed at home when we embarked on our journeys. Nothing is as discouraging as measuring yourself against others and falling short. Irrespective of our achievements, there will always be those before whom our mega accomplishments are nothing. Why? Because life is not rated the way we do. We judge based on what we see and approve but the things we permit are not necessarily what counts with God. Our Maker has a unique purpose for each of us. The routing, timing and strategies are not the same which makes comparison a very futile exercise. The best yardstick with which to measure ourselves is God’s revealed purpose for each of us. Any other scale defeats rather than support that purpose. It is in knowing God’s will and understanding His timing for us; in pursuing that with all we are and have, in being able to measure ourselves against it and make relevant adjustments until it is accomplished, in finding contentment in His will for us no matter how it appears to us and to others – that is what matters, and therein lies our fulfillment. In truth, all other things don’t matter as much.

Scripture: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6: 33.

Prayer: Dear Lord, stay my attention upon You; Your Word, Your will, and Your way; to know that nothing else matters as much, amen.