The Measure of Life
11/27/07 05:35 PM Filed in: Daily
Devotionals | Strength
For The Journey
The following
devotional was taken from
"Strength for
the Journey" and written by David
Deffenbaugh.
May 1
Daily Bible Reading: Judges 8-9; Luke 12:13-34
The Measure of Life
Devotional Text: Luke 12:15
The radio commercial asked, “What is half of Tuesday morning?” and “If a dog traveled into the future and bit his own tail, when would he feel pain?”. The answers were as nonsensical as the questions themselves (“Sunday afternoon” and “yesterday” ). We might feel the same way when we talk about how life is measured. It’s not with a tape measure or with a measuring cup or on a scale. Although, Mary Poppins did have that tape to see how the Banks children (and herself) “measured up.”
The truth is we do measure our lives all the time. Here is how. When is it that we feel good about ourselves and about our lives? When do we feel poorly about the same? It may be when we achieved a success or maybe when we have failed at something. How often, though, is it when get something: a new car, house, computer, set of clubs, dress, etc.? How often do we feel envious (even a little bit) when we see someone with something we wish we had? We think about how happy they must be and how much they have it “together.”
Jesus says, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own” (New Living Translation). Jesus went on to tell the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). The point being that we will all reach a time when we will be separated from our possessions. Jesus asked, “Now who will own what you have prepared?” At that point, if our life has been devoted to obtaining possessions, we will have nothing. Our life will be nothing. Instead, Jesus says we should be “rich toward God.” When we reach that time when we no longer have our possessions, we will have something and our life will have worth. That is how life is measured.
Daily Bible Reading: Judges 8-9; Luke 12:13-34
The Measure of Life
Devotional Text: Luke 12:15
The radio commercial asked, “What is half of Tuesday morning?” and “If a dog traveled into the future and bit his own tail, when would he feel pain?”. The answers were as nonsensical as the questions themselves (“Sunday afternoon” and “yesterday” ). We might feel the same way when we talk about how life is measured. It’s not with a tape measure or with a measuring cup or on a scale. Although, Mary Poppins did have that tape to see how the Banks children (and herself) “measured up.”
The truth is we do measure our lives all the time. Here is how. When is it that we feel good about ourselves and about our lives? When do we feel poorly about the same? It may be when we achieved a success or maybe when we have failed at something. How often, though, is it when get something: a new car, house, computer, set of clubs, dress, etc.? How often do we feel envious (even a little bit) when we see someone with something we wish we had? We think about how happy they must be and how much they have it “together.”
Jesus says, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own” (New Living Translation). Jesus went on to tell the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). The point being that we will all reach a time when we will be separated from our possessions. Jesus asked, “Now who will own what you have prepared?” At that point, if our life has been devoted to obtaining possessions, we will have nothing. Our life will be nothing. Instead, Jesus says we should be “rich toward God.” When we reach that time when we no longer have our possessions, we will have something and our life will have worth. That is how life is measured.
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