We live in a world today where people esteem things, customs, traditions, sports, occupations, entertainment, ideas, inventions and other people more than they ought to. These things are nice and can be very convenient but they were never to be exalted to the place where people have exalted them today. Inventions like air-conditioning help keep us cool in hot temperatures and furnaces that help warm us during those cold seasons are welcomed and enjoyable but they are not indispensable to life. If you didn’t have those things you could still live and enjoy life. I remember as a young girl growing up, in the summer months it would be so hot outside that you could literally see the heat waves in the atmosphere. We did not have air-conditioning most of my childhood but we went about everyday life and did just fine. There are things that are greater than modern day conveniences. Some people would rather die than give up their conveniences. These things may help in making our every day life easier but they can never provide life or true peace. Life and Peace only come from God.
The bible says, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
Exchange defined:
- To give something and receive something different in return.
- To hand something over and receive as a replacement something more suitable or more satisfactory.
The above scripture challenges us to evaluate our lives and to weigh those things in life that we deem profitable to us. What one person may consider to be profitable may not seem profitable to the next person. What do you value in life? What do you give most of your time and energy to? These are the things that can easily distract us from our soul prosperity. The soul is comprised of our mind, will and emotions. What things have you exchanged for true peace of mind? What things have you exchanged for a will that is totally surrendered to fulfilling God’s plans and purposes in your life and the lives of your children and family. What things have you exchanged for sound, stable emotions?
Sometimes the exchange is subtle and seemingly unnoticeable until it has robbed us of years of productivity and fruitfulness. Sometimes people don’t even realize they have replaced valuable time spent with love ones with sitting in front of a television set until they look up and suddenly wake up to what they have lost. They exchanged or replaced a relationship with their family with something they thought was more satisfying or suitable to their leisure. However the bible says what does those things profit a man if he loses his own soul. How suitable are those things when you find yourself in the midst of a hard situation? Can those things that you have given weeks, months and sometimes years of your time, attention and devotion to help you?
Nothing can ever replace or be more suitable than the presences of God. When we devote time and energy to God and His will we always come out profitable. Our soul belongs to God. We must be alert and watchful to guard our lives of those things that would come to steal our affection and attention from God.
The bible says,Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 1Peter 2:11
God loves you. God loves spending time with you. God loves to encourage, strengthen and build you up. It is God’s delight to bless you and multiply you in good things. It is so wonderful to hang out with God and let Him teach you and show you things to come. God loves to share His plans, thoughts and ways with His family. Nothing is of more greater value than God. Life is short, so we must choose to invest our time and efforts wisely if we are going to have good success in life.
Don’t you think it’s time to exam your own life and begin to allow God to show you all of those things that need to be eliminated or exchanged for the greater things of God’s Kingdom and purposes. Your life is valuable, you are important to God. Don’t exchange the greater for the lesser but rather lay hold on the greater and see your life and future soar like an eagle!
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