As I explained to the young man, I had to learn this lesson several years myself. It is easy to lose track of time, to try to multi-task, and in the end, to go through the entire day and miss something that is important. During his earthly ministry, Jesus taught those that would listen, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke 12:34) and Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:19-20). In other words, we will place what we feel is important at the forefront of our daily routine and with the attitude of that which is considered of lesser importance handled “if I can get around to it.” When we begin to take our focus off the spiritual housekeeping – our daily Bible reading, personal prayer time, and personal evangelism – as part of the “if I can…” things of the day, before too long, our lives end up out of alignment and we seem to struggle with finding our way back, just as this young man had happen, and just as I have experienced in my own life. Soon, the guilt begins to set in bringing with it the pressures of feeling that our life has become sin and flesh-focused and not Christ-focused.
It does not take much to get us away from the spiritual housekeeping we need. A sick child or spouse, a project from work, or anything else that Satan can use to distract our attention. I know for me, it takes a serious effort to make sure that I get my personal Bible reading and prayer time done. It takes an effort to break out of my comfort zone and share with the gas station attendant, the sample lady at Wal-Mart, or even the person next to me pumping gas that Jesus loves them and died for them as an atonement for their sins. It’s hard because we have been taught by secular society not to freely discuss our faith in Christ, to not be confrontational, and to keep to ourselves. We’ve been taught the direct opposite of scripture – Jesus says to his disciples “go and tell others…” and the world tells us “mind your own business…” It’s a battle that at times, its much easier from our fleshly and earthly viewpoint, easier to walk away from and not to press the issue than to tell someone of the love of God. I know that if I want to feel the presence of God in my life and if I want to see true spiritual growth, I must make those things that bring me closer to the Lord Jesus Christ as a priority in my life. Again, wherever my heart is also where my treasure lies. As a Christian, it is my utmost to hear the Lord tell me, well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21b). I do not want to be an embarrassment to my Lord and Savior, nor do I want to be a hinderance to the work of the gospel message.
I understand this young man’s frustration as I am sure that many of you do. I wish that more Christians would feel the conviction that he feels when it comes to their Bible reading, personal time in prayer, and personal evangelism. Think of the impact that the local New Testament believing church would have if even half of its membership felt the importance to those things that this young man has felt. Imagine a community where the church was making a real difference in the lives of those living just in the sight of the steeple. Imagine the presence of the Holy Spirit each service as church members diligently sought to follow after the cross, enduring the ridicule of the lost world and standing firm against the forces of wickedness that fills our communities. Until that day, all I can do is to continue to pray that God sends a daily revival into my own heart and continues to lead me to become the man he has called me to be.
