Consider Jesus

Do you ever feel swamped? Involved in so much, so busy, that there hardly seems to be a moment for yourself? And when there are a few spare moments, they quickly get gobbled up by some activity or another. When I have a day off from work and I'm not doing something - laundry, cleaning, meeting with a student from youth group, working on VBS material, reading over a Bible study book - I almost feel lazy, like I'm not using my time wisely. Here in America, I believe that we define our importance by our busyness. The more involved we are, the more important we are. The more activities we partake in, the more people look at us in appreciation. The more we do, the better we feel.

A wise man, Pastor Kirk Flaa, once said, "I am concerned that in our busyness with good things, we often lose sight of the best and most important thing - Jesus Christ. There too we must always be a people of priority, and never allow the temporal things to grow more important than the eternal."

It's so easy for us to lose sight, isn't it? Even in our church/ministry related activities. It's hard to know where the line is; the line between saying yes to a great ministry opportunity and realizing that we can't do it all. There is an abundance of good things to be involved in - but far too often, we immerse ourselves in the good things but forget the One we are doing them for.

The author of Hebrews writes, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession . . ." (3:1). Consider Jesus. Consider this Man, not mere man, but God Himself in human flesh. Consider Him who gave His life as a propitiation - as payment - for our sins. Consider this Man who has rendered Satan himself powerless. Consider this Man who is merciful and faithful. Consider this Man who is our High Priest, who experienced every temptation that we ever face so that He can come to our aid in time of need.

Consider Jesus.

How often do we do that? Sure, we may consider Jesus during our daily devotional time . . . and then leave Him there. Do we consider Jesus as we stock shelves or wait on customers at our jobs? Do we consider Jesus as we fold laundry and clean toilets? Do we consider Jesus as we teach Sunday School or youth group? Do we consider Jesus when we decide what movie to watch or when we're making nightly plans?

Dear friend, do not give up your work for the kingdom of God. Time is short and our Savior is coming again soon. But as you labor for the Kingdom, partaking in many good things, do not take your eyes off of Jesus. As we strive to bring the LORD glory, may we be found faithfully "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).