What Really Matters

“Sometimes you have to look past the things on top to see what really matters.”

A day after the shooting at Charleston I was watching the news and they were interviewing a state politician about his thoughts on gun laws and flags at half mast.  I just kept thinking, ‘that’s not what really matters right now.’  I’ve been pleased to hear many other stories of people responding with what does really matter.  Stories of forgiveness and standing together remind me of what really matters.  While I agree there is a time and place to discuss many different things, I also find sometimes we miss what really matters.  It’s harder to look past the surface into the heart.  Yet, it is there that lies what really matters.  Many things matter like jobs, finances, health, belongings.  Yet, what really matters are the people.  Don’t miss the people in the midst of all the other things.  Don’t miss your heart in the midst of all that pulls on it.  Don’t miss what really matters in the midst of all the chaos.  

“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

Phil 1:10 NLT

Paul is applauding the people of Philippi for the ways they have shared Christ and praying this would continue to be true.  His prayer is that they would continue to grow in knowledge and understanding, loving well.  He wants them to understand what really matters.  Paul says this while in prison.  Paul is the first to be able to look past his circumstances and see that it’s not his circumstances that really matter.  What really matters is that we know Christ and make Him known and that’s exactly what he is doing from prison.  He wants those who love him to see the same.  I wish I was more like Paul, yet as I struggle to see past my circumstances I cling to this prayer for you and for me.  May we follow the prayers of Paul and understand what really matters, knowing it’s not our circumstances.  It’s not based on a job, relationship, finances or health.  What really matters is loving God and loving people.  May that truly be what really matters in our lives.