What is Your Life About?

Let's assume a relationship with God, and a desire for His glory, are the primary driving force of your life. I say good. But after that, what is your life about?

I think most people will find it easy to answer quickly, that the bulk of their life is about the "right things." But I'm asking, at a very practical, functional, day-to-day, level... What is the driving force behind your day-to-day activities?

Is it...

Gaining Knowledge?
Having status or perceived spiritual maturity?

Being "good"?

Following Church traditions?

Running (or attending) Church functions?Following Church traditions?

Having good quiet times?

Having a peaceful life?

I'd like to suggest that if it is any of the above, or if you're not sure, then you're likely missing the point. God's entire goal for the life of His people is this: Love God, and love mankind. That's it. Jesus Himself said it: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself." And this isn't just a "New Testament concept". The entire Old Testament was about God's people, and their call to love God, and love the nations. Yes, it was a rarely successful mission, but it was the mission nonetheless. Commands to leave the corners of fields unharvested (Leviticus 19:9), to put a railing on your roof (Deuteronomy 22:8), to preach to hated enemies (Jonah)... all had the motivation of love behind them. And it is a call that becomes even clearer in the New Testament, thanks to Jesus.

If your time and focus is on items in that list, rather than on loving people, you may have a problem. The things in this list, though they can be good and valuable, are not eternal and are not, primarily, what God has called us to. If you're anything like me, finding spare time is next to impossible. Consequently, focus on one area (filling my life with church programs, for example) means less focus on another area (getting to know my neighbors, for example).

So, practically, what does this look like?

I think it'll look different for each person. But, at some level, it means getting out of your "personal relationship" mode (aka "just me and Jesus") and pursuing people. I can't emphasize that enough. Pursue people. Listen to them. Jump into the midst of their pain, problems, joys and sins. Invest heavily in people. God does not want us to waste our lives planning worship

services, organizing Sunday school, and attending meetings. Does that sound shocking? I think it is quite shocking for most American evangelicals, but it's true nonetheless. That's not saying God doesn't want Christians to meet. He absolutely does. He just doesn't want us to waste excessive time on it because, it's not the goal. People are the goal. Making disciples is the goal. Even our Bible study can be a waste of time if it terminates on us. The Bible should be studied to grow in love and wisdom SO THAT we can be better equipped, and more driven, to love people.

So, let's make our faith about love... shall we?