I have witnessed, it seems in more clarity as of late, the connection between priority and anxiety in my life. That which I give great priority, too much priority, seems to directly translate into anxiety and overwhelms the mind.

What I mean, is there are things in this world, whether it be fancy cars, diamond jewelry, nice furniture, expensive things, finances, (namely anything in which we know is temporary and yet this world determines proves one a success) - and these things each of us places somewhere in our list of priorities. By priorities I do not simply mean those of our datebook, those of our time - though those are great indicators of where are priorities are. But what I also mean are priorities of the mind. What we spend our time thinking about, meditating about, focusing and thinking on, etc.

One can tell themselves (and I often have) that by openly professing one’s priorities that they are truly in order. I find lately that my words do not match the truth. My mind will be consumed in maintaining material things, and in turn they become the priority of my mental time, not simply my schedule. The more mental efforts I give to these things, the easier I am disrupted. The easier it is, in turn, to throw my life into craziness - as these things are impacted, so am I.

Yet scripture, Jesus Christ himself, said “…don’t be anxious for your life…” - we are not to allow these worldly temporary things to overwhelm both our mind and time. So why is that so difficult? What is the balance? What we do know, is that we cannot add “…one moment…” to our lives by being anxious about such worthless and temporary concerns. I see such anxiety as a direct lack of faith - for our God is good, and has provided for the birds in sky - how much more does he love us!

I hope to be able to keep that perspective when I find myself up in arms over that which is not worth being anxious over. Keeping his kingdom, and namely scriptures such as this (Matt 6:25-34) in mind during such struggles will aid in efforts to keep both my time and mental priorities in the right order.

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matt 4:20)

So I’ve come to the realization that having a conviction is far far more simple than following through. Anyone can be convicted - in fact, I’d stand to reason that we all are, all the time! But following through? That seems to be a more difficult task…

I read the words written in the Book of Matthew - as Jesus the son of God calls upon Simon Peter and Andrew - to follow him. And they did. At once!

Oh to be so bold! Those nets were their livelyhood! Those nets were there security! How many nets do I have? How willing am I to drop them at the call of the LORD? This is a process of self examination one must do daily. I find myself in a somewhat cyclic conviction process:

• Conviction
• Reaction
• Rationalization
• Dismissal

Certainly not always - but often! How I overanalyze what the LORD calls me to forfeit for his cause, sacrifice for the gain of his kingdom. How unwilling I am to cast away the nets that bring me security, wordly peace, and worldy comfort. May we be as willing as Simon Peter and Andrew to drop and cast away those things that grant such an empty peace - may we be willing to say AT ONCE LORD!

Welcome to the Unites States of America, where there is plenty to do, even more to accomplish, and so very much to experience.  A place where the American dream can be translated into early retirement, big boats, and care-free living.  Where we work and work and work and play and play and play, all the live long day (and night)….

What a wonderful world of distractions.  I often wonder how much a product of my own culture I really am.   If global income was broken down per-person, each person would get a little over 5,000.  American’s make over 35,000 per person - 7 times more money per-person than anywhere in the world.  Over 1 billion people live on a dollar a day.  It can be a humbling thought.

Are we really doing everything we can?  I know i’m not.  I shovel 28 bucks into an envelope every month and feel like i’m doing my part.  But it’s not enough…and i’m certainly comfortable with my lifestyle.  Heck, i can see myself living the way I am now the rest of my life.  It’s such a struggle to become content with material things, worldly ideals.  We often fail to keep it all in perspective.

As believers we’re called to be different, set apart from the world and everythign in the world.  The world tells us what success is, beauty, love, contentment, status, power, and tells us why each is crucial to everyday.  So sometimes we fall into the trap of simply accepting every little bit of of it just because we’re immersed in every little bit of it.

How difficult it can be to focus on his eternal kingdom - and not the one we’re making for ourselves.

“Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
“Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.”

Matthew 6:25-34