What are you working for? What is your goal in life? Are you working toward possessions? Are you working toward pleasing your boss? Are you working toward a promotion? Does your job consume you?
Our culture places high importance on status. Status can be obtained through promotions on the job, being a social media influencer, being the star of the team, and even by being the loudest voice in the room. Working to obtain status can consume us.
Why do we work to obtain status in this world? The simple answer we don’t want to hear is, we are shortsighted. We can’t see beyond the nose on our face. The life we live on this earth is no longer than our noses when compared to the eternal life we have promised to us.
In Jesus’ own words, we are not to work for material things, rather we are to work for eternal things. Oh, believe me, I know that is not easy. Especially when we see our friends or co-workers living “the good life.” We fall prey to Satan whispering in our ears that we, too, could have that life. Then we chase after it. Now, please don’t misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with having nice things in our lives. However, when those things become our focus, our drive, the reason for all we do, we no longer have them, but they have us.
Working toward the eternal does not mean we will not have a good life on this earth. In fact, it means just the opposite. Jesus promised an abundant life (John 10:10), if we will follow Him. The abundant life is not the same as “the good life” our friends live, it is far better. Unfortunately, far too many of us don’t see it until we have made a plethora of mistakes in our lives over many years.
I pray we all work for eternity. I pray we seek the abundant life Jesus promised. I pray each one of us commits to Jesus and His teachings in this life. Work for eternity. Give up working for possessions. Commit to Jesus. Live the abundant life. See Jesus’ promise come true today.
John 6:26-27 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Marty Pressey 