Disordered Results Come from Big Picture Blindness
Why is it so hard for us to seek the Kingdom of God first? Why is it so hard for us to break the things that were programmed into us as kids? Why is it so hard for us to see the “big picture”, when we make choices? These are things that have been on my heart. A friend once shared how much his job meant to him. His job and money are his number one priority. I’m the number one person in his life, but not the number one thing. He said his attitude towards work, came from the way he was raised. He was raised to “work hard or not eat “, “work hard to provide “, “work hard to make sure his wife and/or family have nice things”. That all sounds good, but it can be a form of idolatry.
Anything that consistently takes God’s rightful place in our hearts becomes an idol. To some it’s work, to others it’s what people think of them, compliments/praise, how they look, what they wear, social status/success, how their kids/family look, the grades at school, TV, videos, many things can become idols in our lives. Pity and selfishness are idols, if they consume us, we are so focused on us, we are out of balance, and they become idols.
“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” Matthew 6:33 AMP
Jesus wasn’t condemning work. He was teaching priorities.
We don’t always see the big picture when we make choices. My friend told me his dad worked many hours when he was a kid, and he was taught that’s what men did. I asked what kind of relationship his dad had with his mom and his kids. He said his dad didn’t have a relationship with any of them, it was non-existent. That’s the big picture; every pattern of living produces a harvest. If we adopt someone’s habits, we shouldn’t be surprised when we eventually experience not only the blessings they enjoyed but also the losses they accepted.
Parents do their best to mold and shape morals and values into their kids. My parents grew up during the depression, and it was hard for my dad to throw away anything that was good. I have some of that behavior. However, there is a balance to everything, and we can find that balance in our lives with God’s help.
“Be well balanced, (temperate, sober of mind,) be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith (against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined)…” I Peter 5:8-9. AMP
It is so easy for us to get out of balance with things, even ministry and what we call “church work”. Our flesh and the enemy both exploit busyness. Even good things can crowd out the best thing- our relationship with Christ.
This next week, I challenge you to look for the “big picture” behind your behaviors. What habits am I repeating simply because they’ve always been part of my life? What harvest are those habits producing? Are they drawing me closer to God and the people I love, or quietly pulling me away from both? What areas are out of balance?
Until next time, God bless you and stay balanced.
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