Friday
Meaningless
I have a nice house. It's not too big or too small. It's just right. Even though most days I can write my name in the dust.
I have a newish van to tote my children in around town. The sticky hand prints in the windows are just a bonus.
I have a closet full of clothes and even more I hope to wear again, 10 pounds from now.
I have two daughters and a son who captivate me and make my hair turn gray.
I have a strong marriage with my best friend, who still thinks I enjoy being tickled.
I don't.
I have some dear relationships with friends and family.
I have enough money in the bank to be enough.
I have a blog that fulfills the voice within me. (And it doesn't even matter that the voice sounds like screaming to those who live with me)
And it is all meaningless.
Without Him.
Give me a bigger house, a newer, cleaner van, designer clothes to fit my skinny body, better-behaved children, a perfect marriage, more than enough money, more friends, a popular income-producing blog . . . give me more than I have now! But if I don't have God, it is still meaningless.
Our world has twisted the meaning of greatness into acquisitions .
But it's not in the what-or the how much-
It's in the knowing- of Him.
That is true success.
I heard Anthony Evans (son of Pastor Tony Evans) sing a song he wrote, called "Meaningless".
It touched me to hear a successful young singer who 'has it all' share that his life is meaningless without God. And it was a gentile reminder, that mine is too.
Listen to the words:
Food for the Soul:
Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
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45 comments:
Well, look at you gettin' all serious :)
Could not be more true!! Thanks for the reminder.
I think we all get caught up and forget it. I know I do. Thank you for yanking me out of my "just got home from Best Buy wanting a new laptop wanting a double oven...blah blah blah." :)
It's hard not to get distracted by the shiny things in the "material world". All that really matters is our relationship with Him!
That is twice today that I've read something of yours that just stopped me in my tracks. I even twittered ya this morning from the cafe! Bless you, Kristen, for sharing your words. You are so right...everything in this world, though comforting and comfortable it is, is meaningless without Him!
I am nothing without the One who gave it all to me. How true, how true. Thanks for the reminder. :)
Thank you...
Interesting how he set his video at a garage sale...because these 'treasures' we possess fade and rust so quickly, leaving us to look for another to take its place...then another, and another, and another. He gives all of it meaning!
You said it all sister!
What a great reminder for all of us, thank you!
I blogged about this a few weeks ago, so to see God saying it again through you makes it even more important to me.
If you get a chance ... sample all Anthony's albums and get the words on his website.. the words to each song on all 3 albums are so real, so poignant.
God has truly blessed Anthony and given him a gift I have been blessed to see first hand.
I'm watching Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live right now. I think I'm pretty safe in saying that they would give away everything, the success, the riches, the accolades . . . . all to have their daughter and sister back. Their situation puts everything in perspective.
It's amazing to see the many channels God uses to remind us of these very basic truths. Thank you for that. You blessed my day.
Amen! This is one of those areas in my heart God is constantly reminding me of - no matter how fabulous my life is, without Him, its nothing at all.
Amen girl! That is awesome!
Thanks for the great perspective. We all need that reminder, because it's oh so easy to forget. Thanks again for making me do a "pulse check."
Wonderful post!!! Thank you.
Wonderfully put.
Thanks for sharing that and reminding me what it is really all about.
Thanks for sharing. Anthony is amazing! I went to highschool with him.
Beautiful song! Such a great message that is all too often forgotten in this material world. It is so very easy to get caught up in the tangle of catalogues and sale flyers and circulars we receive every day. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you! I needed that this morning!
Awesome, awesome reminder!
And thanks for the new song!
Remember the old son, "I'd rather have Jesus than anything... this world affords today." etc.
Vanity, vanity, says the Preacher ... all is vanity.
This post is a good reminder that today, just as in Solomon's day, all our worldly possessions are empty baubles.
Thank you!
I have never been more humbly reminded than this past year. Many days I don't have Enough,by society standards. But I am always FULL and RICH with HIM!
Things so often consume our lives, and there is nothing wrong with things. But we must remember all those things are on loan to us from Him. I too have been humbled this past year. Going from a very good income, nice big home, etc, to retiring, moving and not being albe to afford the things of the past. It was hard, but you are absolutely right. It is all nothing without Him. I have learned some valuable lessons, I really already knew them, just had to be reminded. Things are just things that just last a short time, but our souls have an enternal expiration!!!
You are right on girlie! Hope you don't mind that I plan to put a link to this post in my weekend thoughts post tomorrow.
Thanks for speaking the truth in love!
Beautiful! It couldn't be said better than that!
Amen, without Him life would be a mess.
Just what I needed this morning.
As I was walking to my office this morning, I thought of how beautiful a day it was giong to be, then I told the Lord it is only beautiful if He is a part of it. Your post hit right home with that. Thank you!
Vickie
My mother would say to spit twice aftre saying somehting like that. but Im glad your happy
Well said! We would all be more at peace with our lives if we just remembered to always put God first.
Very eloquent and timely. I happened upon your blog this morning and am so glad I did!
What a beautiful song. You made me cry again! But it hasn't taken much this week. I've been watching the Stephen Curtus Chapman interviews this week. Life is meaningless and impossible for me to imagine without Him.
Thank you for the reminder. Really needed it this morning. (every morning???)
Kristen,
Thanks so much for your wonderful words of wisdom and for introducing us to the song by Anthony Evans. It really touched me.
So true!
Thank you for sharing that song. It was absolutely beautiful.
Well said and a good reminder to us all. Wondering what percipitated thse thoughts? Just the song or was there more?
Blessings!
thanks for the post. I'm having a grumpy day thinking about starting school next week and have been giving myself a pep talk about what I have and don't have and what matters! Oh. And I wish I had your skinny problem!
Thank you so much for sharing that, I needed to be reminded.
Have Jesus Christ as my personal savior makes everything worth while! Life is more important, I can love my family like I should! He is the most important thing. Lovely post.
That was such and awesome video! It is so true, its all meaningless without God.
Such a beautiful song :)
Beautifully written. Thanks for the reminder to give thanks for countless blessings that we often take for granted.... foremost being Him.
Loved this song. Thanks for sharing. And wow, yes it is so meaningless. He is enough-today!
Beautiful post! I need that reminder daily of death to self - life in Christ . . .
Great post!
Anthony is actually one of my good friends from High School. It is so funny to see him in music videos on my friend's blog! :)
Amen! Well said. And that's all I got to say about that. :)
Confessions of an Apron Queen
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