On a scale of one to ten, how well do you sing? Myself, I am a generous two. Though I do like to sing, I limit the pain it inflicts upon people by trying to sing only when no one else is in hearing distance or if in a crowd I can join in (and be drowned out quite a bit). I realize that for some, pursuing a singing career would be and has been a very good dream to follow. For me it would be nowhere close to a worthwhile pursuit. I have even told people that I sing like a prisoner- I'm always behind a few bars and trying to find the key.
In regard to pursuits, the wisdom of the world teaches that there are really four pursuits that are above all else.
*beauty
*power
*wealth
*fame
Though nothing is inherently wrong with any of these things, if our whole life is spent pursuing these, we will ultimately one day be incredibly disappointed. Though it sounds like the thing to do, those that are blessed with the joy and challenge of being a parent can easily fall prey to the peril of teaching young people to pursue these as the best and only goals in life. The truth is that this is a terrible disservice to them, because those goals are woefully low goals to shoot for. It would do us much better to have the much higher goals that really matter, which are given to us to teach our kids and live out ourselves, straight from the only source of absolute truth- the Bible.
The two of utmost importance are as follows:
"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Matthew 22:37-39
So, the greatest pursuits are simple and powerful:
*love the LORD with your whole person- mind, heart, and soul
*love others enthusiastically by sharing the good news of the gospel and loving them like He does as best we can
And in the book of Philippians, God gives us our next pursuit priorities. One of which is pleasing Him in our race of life (see Philippians 3:12-14).
Also in Philippians, He lets us know what is worthwhile to chase after.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8
This is how our minds are renewed (see Romans 12:2), and keeps our focus on loving God and others.
"God loves to dispense His grace. If you will come to God with your regrets and your failures and start loving and serving Him as the driving force in your life, He has an unmistakable, amazing way of using even failure to bring about success.
There is only one passion in life worth your total pursuit. And that is to love and serve Christ in such a way that you win the race and receive His approval."- Tony Evans
Walking in newness of life (purposeful life for anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior) can be illumined as we pursue what God has called us to, including peace and merciful compassion as we follow His commands and love like He does.
A prayer,
Heavenly Father, please renew my mind and refresh my heart so that I will not just chase after the wind and waste precious time. I commit to pursue You first and love You and those around me, no matter what the world is doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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