Proverbs 6:9 - What the eyes see [enjoying what is available] is better than [craving] what the soul desires. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.
After I graduated from college, I started pouring myself into my first job. I was young, single and working in an industry that was growing at the time. I also worked with a great group of young engineers; work was fun. After several years, many things changed. My company was bought out by a bigger company, my co-workers transferred to different locations and some even left the company. The economy slowed and so did the opportunities for growth. And the biggest change occurred when I got married. With one, “I do”, I become a husband, father, and owner of a cute dog.
A lot of things changed around me, but one trend continued…my pouring myself into my job…almost being consumed by it. The job became more than a source of income; it became an identity, a way for me to gauge my self worth. If someone were to ask, “Vic, tell me about yourself.”, I would begin by telling them about my job, not my family. (What I did, not who I was)
Then one day I remember our youngest son had an awards program at his elementary school one afternoon. Making the ceremony would have meant that I would have had to leave work on time; I couldn’t stay late. So I made the decision to miss the program and stay at work. Here was my justification:
“Well, there will always be other programs at school. He has several years of school left. Besides, my job provides income for my family. So naturally its more important. Besides, I am working on getting promoted within the company as soon as possible. We’ll all benefit then.”
When I got home that evening, there were 5 or 6 academic awards he had received on the kitchen counter. Everyone else had gone to bed or were on their way. I had missed it all. Fast forward 30 years…to this day I can’t remember what I was working on that felt so important at the time. The company that bought out my first employer ended up getting purchased by a bigger company. So my promotion opportunities evaporated with the purchases. I had used my job to walk past a celebration that should have been (and could have been) shared by our entire family.
What “treasures” that you are walking by because you are focused on things that are “seemingly” important? Time with your spouse? Time with your children? Time developing a new skill you need? Time improving relationships? Time improving your health? And now we’re going to really hit home…what are you chasing that is causing you to walk over the greatest “treasure” of your life…your personal relationship with the Lord?
Some “treasures” are only available for a short time. If we miss them, they are gone forever. Our inner cravings can cause us to miss God’s priorities and what He has placed before us. In particular, don’t miss the treasure of His presence. Psalm 73:24-26 says it well:
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (ESV)
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