The Contented Life Daily DevotionalSample

Focus On Eternal Values

"I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – toward Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." Phil. 3:13-14 (Msg)

Paul often used the analogy of running a race; he was a man who truly kept his eye on the finish line. The recent political divide and the Covid pandemic have seen division unparalleled in our lifetimes, a division that has touched families and the church. You may have experienced some of the effects of that in your own life. I observed, however, that those who kept their eyes on Jesus and His eternal values came through it much healthier.

An old hymn says, "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue." The original tune and words may not be familiar, but the message is eternal. We live in a culture struggling with contentment; marketing wants us to believe that we're a bit more special if we wear a particular clothing brand or drive a specific car. An old preacher said, "There's nothing wrong with having things, but don't let the things have you."

In 2 Timothy, thought to be Paul's final letter, he said to Timothy, the young man he's handing the baton to, "The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now, the prize awaits me." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

How do you guard against losing sight of eternity? For Paul, it was keeping his sights set on sharing Jesus with everyone he met. Let me ask you a question: Do you have others on your prayer list? Are there relationships you’re building with the hopes of sharing Jesus with them? If the answer is no, start a list today.

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By: Allan Burnett