I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how completely self-centered we all are these days. It’s almost overwhelming how much we all think about ourselves. How much we only do what’s comfortable. How often we avoid all forms of inconvenience. How much we hate anything that appears difficult. It’s made my generation and those before and after it very weak. Weak minded. Weak spirited. Weak to the enemy’s ploys.
It’s time for a change.
As I considered this, I thought, how do I use Jesus as a standard? Immediately, I saw people in Bible times and thought about what was important back then…when Jesus was walking the earth. I realized that we have missed so much because we’ve become so haughty. We each think we are amazing. The first person to ever know such great things. The first generation to “get it right”. It’s absurd.
Think about this…
In Bible times, what was the most important thing? God and Family.
It’s an easy answer. A veritable no-brainer. Everything revolved around God and family. Having lots of children and teaching them the ways of God. Lots of land. Lots of livestock. Generational living was the norm. Generosity was also the norm. God spoke about helping others and how and when to do that. We’ve lost so much generosity because we each think we’re more important than anyone else. Generosity of time, money, etc. requires a sacrifice and many refuse that.
Living life in the right order…God, family, then everything else…makes it easier to be generous. As it is, most of us are facing each day with lack in our heart and relationships. This lack makes reaching out to others seem infinitely more impossible.
In Bible times, they arose with focus. God first, family second, then an intentional generosity. They faced life as if it had significance. Their daily lives felt significant. That’s a huge difference from today where we are all “searching” for significance. Open your eyes!! Significance is in your home.
Back then, daily family life was the main thing.
Oh, how I ache to create a life like that. Where fathers and mothers taught scripture and how to pray. Mothers taught daughters to raise children and come alongside them in the day-to-day life as helpers. Where fathers taught their sons how to be men. How to provide and protect. There was a beautiful order to things.
A healthy family dynamic empowers every person…but we don’t choose to see it that way. The devil put leaven in the bread of family, and it has perverted every original design it ever had.
We’ve become so haughty inside that we believe making an impact means traveling and ministering to thousands of strangers, while leaving our first fruit…the family, behind. When we put “me” about family, we all lose.
It’s time to lay down all other pursuing and return first to family. Live from family. Live with family in mind.
I’m going to keep saying this until I’m blue in the face. The world doesn’t need you more than your family does. God, family, and then everything else.
What does it matter if we gain the world but lose our family? Those first entrusted to us. The gifts God gave us to steward. They’re not merely an inconvenience…they are the reason. God made family.
I encourage you to reflect on your family dynamic today. Ask God if you are out of order. Let Him show you the good and bad that you are doing. Then ask Him to adjust your heart so you can proceed forward with a family minded heart. It’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. James 4:6-10
365 Days in the Presence 