Translating a World on the Edge

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When we assess our lives, it’s often from a superficial point of view.

We look at how popular we are, how successful we are, how much money we make, how big our house is, what clubs we belong to, and then we ask ourselves, “Who is noticing my successes? How do I look in their eyes?” Many times, our very self worth is contained in the dubious answers to those questions.

But if we spend our whole lives chasing after people who might notice us, and ‘stuff’ that makes us feel important, then we have seriously missed the boat.

There is only one question we need to ask ourselves–and it is crucially important to us in the ‘here and now’ because the answer to it will determine our eternity. The question is What does God want from Me?

Doesn’t He want us to follow in the way of His son, Jesus Christ? And what does Jesus show us? — He shows us how to love.

It doesn’t matter  if we are pretty, handsome, or  plain. It doesn’t matter if  we have a fan club of thousands reading our Facebook page and clicking “like.” It doesn’t matter if we live in a big house, a trailer, or a shack. And it certainly does not matter how much of a bankroll we have.

What is most important  how much we love.

Attempting to understand and be patient with a trying person or child is showing love. Loyalty to a spouse despite the difficulties in marriage is showing love. Self-sacrifice for a greater purpose is showing love. Toning down anger toward someone who’s hurt you is showing love, too. And I’m sure you could list numerous other ways.

The point is, what God wants from you and I has nothing to do with making ourselves large in life, but in making ourselves small enough to consider the needs of others.

I may think I’m smart. And you may have more educational degrees than anybody you know, but we’re still  only an ‘educated fools’ —unless we realize that right here, right now, we’re creating our own eternity, based on how much we show the love of Jesus Christ  in our actions.

In a nutshell, that ought to be our point of view.

But is it?