Pastor Barry & Deb
What I’ve Been Thinking
March 2010
Hebrews 13:5-6, From, The Message
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured
us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready
to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Like many of you I have been watching the Olympics. I enjoy the many different sports. Some are team
events with two or more participants working together. Some are individual events where one individual
will receive the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. The Olympic athlete’s success comes down to
being ready and prepared to perform at their very best. For many athletes success is measured in
thousands of a second. Success or failure is determined by the decisions the athletes have made.
In life our success or failure is often measured by how many possessions we have. We feel our success
comes from having a large bank account, a fine home, a new car. For many train diligently to win the
battle to see who can accumulate the most stuff. The writer of Hebrews said “Don’t be obsessed with
getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.” Like the Olympic athlete who views
anything less than a gold medal as failure, often we struggle to find success that is in line with
the will of God. Our view of success has been formed by the world around us and often it is not in
line with what God has called us to do. Sports agents have determined the value of an Olympic gold
medal in terms of how many millions of dollars it will generate for the athlete. God has determined
the value of our lives in terms of our willingness to give a cup of cold water in the name of Christ
to one of the least of these.
How do you determine the value of your life? Are you striving for the gold medal and the glory and
prestige it brings? Or have you found peace and success by living in the grace and mercy of Jesus
Christ. Have you found peace in sharing a cup of cold water with someone in need, or holding the
hand of a lonely person in the nursing home? What ever God has called you to do, do it in such a
manner that you will one day receive your heavenly reward, which is far better gold.
In Christ'Service
Pastor Barry
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