What Really Matters?

Look at the activity of your life and consider all the things you do or do not do. Consider all the things you feel you should do or should not do. Ask yourself, “Of all of these, what really matters? What truly makes a difference in who I am or who I am becoming?

Maybe you have tried religious activities. You have taught Sunday school or been the leader of a Ministry Team. You have participated in worship. You have found the hymns beautiful and the choruses lively. Even the preaching was inspiring at times. But, you still feel the void deep within. These religious activities are all nice, but what is the point of doing them? Your prayers seem empty. Your goals appear unreachable. Your faith is lifeless.

The question remains, “What really matters?”

What is at the heart, the center, of your existence?

The Apostle Paul wrote to the people at Corinth to tell them about the thing that really mattered to him:

“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I, in turn, had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the  third day in accordance with the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

According to Paul, what really matters, what is of “first importance,” is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected! For Paul the cross, which is the core of the Gospel, is what really counts.

The cross is the hinge point that makes a significant difference in all of history. When the crucifixion of Jesus intersects with your life, it makes an eternal difference in your thinking, your living, and your relationships.

As you reflect upon what really matters, remember God’s acts of love for you. Remember to keep God’s actions of love at the center of your living. It is because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that you know the love of God. It is because of Jesus that you are able to love the people around you as you have been loved.

Question for reflection: What really matters in your life? What helps keep you focused on what really matters?

-Tim Bias