What Do You Want Most?

    Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, 

the love of the Father is not in him.

 For all that is in the world

—the desires of the flesh and the

 desires of the eyes and pride of life—

is not from the Father but is from the world.

 And the world is passing away 

along with its desires,

 but whoever does the will of God 

abides forever.

  1 John 2:15-17

Isn't it amazing that we sometimes become so absorbed in the "now" that we lose sight of the future?  Our physical desires, our lust for the things that we see and want, and our desire to "be" someone seem to overwhelm us at times, causing us to lose focus.  We begin to love the world and its system, although we wouldn't admit it even to ourselves.  But I am convinced that what we most want is not tied up in the things of the world.  It is other-worldly; it is eternal.  And yet we become so focused on the here and now, on the things that somehow seem so important, that they begin to take over our lives.

For children, that may be play.  What's more important than to have a good time?  Can we teach our children to see past the now into the future?  It should be a goal of parents to guide their little selfish hearts in the right direction.  

For youth, that may be the dreams of romance, the thrill of adventure, or popularity.  Mom, Dad--instruct them in the Proverbs.  Teach them wisdom while they are young.  When they get older your ability to lead them is very limited.

For us who have attained adulthood, it may entail becoming successful in a career, enjoying grown up toys and travel and notoriety.  We must never forget that eternity awaits us.  What are the things that enlist others to desire the joys of eternity?  Those are the things that must be our focus.  Oh, sure, our glance may be on the things we must do to survive in society, but our gaze must be on the things of God.

We must not give up the things that we want most for the things that we want now.

Always wanting something,

Gloria