A God-Shaped Life
Reading: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10
A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. (Proverbs 11:28 MSG)
This phrase really caught my attention this morning – A God-shaped Life. A life devoted to things is a dead life. No matter how many things you have, someone has more. No matter how nice your things are, they wear out, rust out, or become obsolete. Or if your “thing” is youth and beauty, the relentlessly ticking clock will get you. If your “thing” is recognition, achievement, or popularity, people soon forget, someone else achieves more, and popularity is brief as the flash of a digital camera.
Jesus said, 19 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. 20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. 21 It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 25 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than your appearance or the clothes you hang on your body.” (Matthew 6:19-21, 25 MSG)
Also from Jesus, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (Luke 12:15 MSG)
Paul put it this way, “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT)
A God-shaped life grows from the inside out, taking nourishment from roots that reach deep into God’s truth and values. A God-shaped life grows through obedience to truth and faith in the truth-giver. A God-shaped life lasts forever, long after “things” are dust and rust, physical beauty has faded, and accomplishments are only faint memories.
Prayer:
Father, I purpose to live a God-shaped life. I determine not to be devoted to position, possessions, or popularity. I will use and not abuse the things you entrust to me. Please help me draw my life from deep in the soil of your values and truth. May others know what’s important to you by seeing what’s important to me. Amen.